Eating Disorders - Causes

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Highlights	Complications of Anorexia	Treatment for Anorexia
Introduction	Symptoms	Therapy
Risk Factors	Diagnosis	Resources
Causes	Treatment	References
Complications of Bulimia	Treatment for Bulimia

At least one study has reported that the most positive way for parents to influence their children's eating habits and to prevent weight problems and eating disorders is to have healthy eating habits themselves.

Problems Surrounding Birth

Studies have explored the association with problems during pregnancy or after birth and the subsequent development of eating disorders. A 2006 study suggested that specific obstetric complications that can affect mothers and newborn infants may increase the risks for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The more complications, the greater the risk for a child developing anorexia nervosa at a younger age.

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Pregnancy complications, and the type of eating disorder they predict, include:

Maternal anemia (anorexia)
Maternal diabetes (anorexia)
Maternal high blood pressure during pregnancy (anorexia)
Death of placental tissue (anorexia, bulimia)

After-birth complications in the newborn infant, and the type of eating disorder they predict, include:

Heart problems (anorexia)
Low response to stimuli (anorexia, bulimia)
Early difficulties eating (bulimia)
Below-normal birth weight and length (bulimia)

Researchers think that obstetric complications may deprive the fetus of the oxygen and nutrients essential for normal brain development. This brain damage may lead to the later development of eating disorders and other psychiatric illnesses.

Genetic Factors

Anorexia is eight times more common in people who have relatives with the disorder, and some experts estimate that genetic factors are the root cause of many cases of eating disorders. For example, a 2000 study reported that twins had a tendency to share specific eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and obesity). Researchers have identified specific chromosomes that may be associated with bulimia and anorexia. In particular, regions on chromosome 10 have been linked to bulimia as well as obesity. Some evidence has also reported an association with genetic factors responsible for serotonin, the brain chemical involved with both well-being and appetite. Researchers have also pinpointed certain proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein may influence an individual’s susceptibility to developing an eating disorder.

In 2005, a team of researchers identified six core traits that they believe are linked to genes associated with bulimia and anorexia. These traits are: