What Causes Eating Disorders: A Look at Risk Factors and Triggers
“Genetics loads the gun, and the environment pulls the trigger.”
This quote appears to explain the cause of eating disorders in a simple way. However, the reality is that eating disorders are intricate, complicated diseases that we still don’t fully understand.
Decades of research show that eating disorders and poor body image are understood through a “biopsychosocial” model. These are conditions that are made up of biological, psychological, and social triggers.
The Biopsychosocial Triggers Include:
Biological:
This includes the traits we’re born with, how our brain and body work, and the physical things that affect us.
Psychological:
This trigger includes our personality, temperament, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Social:
Lastly, the environment we grow up in has a tremendous impact. This includes our income and education level, the support we receive, and how our family members interact with each other.
Biological Risk Factors of Eating Disorders
Biology plays a significant role in causing eating disorders. Biology is not the only cause of their development. However, it significantly increases our vulnerability to developing food-related concerns. Studies show that 30–70% of eating disorders are passed down in families. Close relatives of people with anorexia or bulimia have a higher chance of having one, too. Traits like being a perfectionist, overly focused, or afraid of making mistakes often run in families.
Chemical Differences In the Brain Can Impact Eating Disorders In Different Ways
In the brain, differences in structure can affect things like feeling hungry, controlling impulses, and how we process rewards. This can make it harder for the brain to work normally. One important brain chemical involved in this is called dopamine. Dopamine helps us feel pleasure and motivation. It’s part of the brain’s reward system. In anorexia, the brain doesn’t react to food in the usual way—it doesn’t feel as rewarding or exciting to eat. Instead, because of changes in dopamine, not eating can actually feel calming or even good. In binge eating, dopamine also acts differently, but in another way. The brain gets very excited about food before eating, but doesn’t feel as satisfied while eating. This can lead to a cycle of bingeing over and over, trying to feel full or happy, but never quite getting there.
Extensive Hormone Changes During Puberty Also Have a Direct Impact on the Development of Body Image
As puberty begins and hormones start to change, our bodies go through a lot of changes. These changes can make us notice things about our weight or shape that we hadn’t paid attention to before. Many people start to feel less happy with how they look. Hormones like estrogen and leptin, which affect mood and hunger, can also shift during this time. This is often when body image issues begin or get worse.
Psychological Risk Factors of Eating Disorders:
In addition, the way we see ourselves—our thoughts, feelings, and personality—also plays a role in the development and continuation of eating disorders. Traits like low self-esteem, not having a clear sense of identity, perfectionism, obsessive habits, and trouble managing emotions can all increase the risk.
Also, feeling broken, unworthy, not good enough, or having low self-esteem are common in people who struggle with disordered eating. These ongoing beliefs can leave us feeling empty and searching for something to make us feel proud or give us a sense of purpose. Sadly, this can lead to disordered eating, as some people start to focus their identity on being “fit,” “tiny,” the “perfect student,” or “super disciplined.”
Eating Disorders and Perfectionism
Perfectionism plays a role in this too. It often leads to strict rules and black-and-white thinking, like “If I can’t do it perfectly, it’s not worth doing at all.” This kind of thinking can contribute to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa—both the restricting type (AN-R) and the binge/purge type (AN-B/P)—as well as bulimia nervosa (BN). People with these disorders often set extremely high, unrealistic standards for themselves. When they can’t meet those standards, they may feel like they’ve failed, which can lead to harmful behaviors like purging (getting rid of food through vomiting, over-exercising, or other methods). Obsessive-compulsive traits are similar to perfectionism and show up as a strong need for order and control.
On the other hand, people who tend to act on impulse, seek excitement, or feel emotions very strongly may be more at risk for eating disorders linked to emotional ups and downs. These traits are often seen in binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa (BN), and the binge/purge type of anorexia nervosa (AN-B/P). These individuals may struggle with emotional dysregulation, meaning they have trouble managing their feelings in a healthy way.
Social Risk Factors: How the World Around Us Impacts Eating Disorders
To start, social risk factors are about the environment we grow up in and what we see and hear regularly. Things like our culture, friendships, community, family life, and past experiences—especially trauma—can shape how we see ourselves and our bodies.
Additionally, social media plays a big role. Constant comparison and the never-ending push to be thinner or more attractive can change how we feel about ourselves. Seeing unrealistic images online can make us feel like we’re not good enough just as we are.
The Pressure of Society and Social Media
Today’s society often praises two extremes: the ultra-thin “heroin-chic” look and the strong, always-working “fitspiration” image. Both are pushed by the “hustle and grind” mindset, where looking perfect and staying busy are valued above all else.
In almost every direction we turn, we're encouraged to diet. Social media is filled with tips on how to become a “better,” skinnier, or prettier version of ourselves—sending the message that who we are isn’t enough. At the same time, women are often objectified and sexualized, adding to the pressure to achieve the so-called “ideal body.” Platforms like Instagram and TikTok make it easy to focus more on how we look in posts than on enjoying real-life moments. Many young people feel anxious about how others will judge their appearance online.
Family Dynamics at Home Can Impact the Development of Eating Disorders
What happens inside the home also matters a lot. Families that focus heavily on achievement, appearance, or control—even without meaning to—can increase the risk of developing food issues.
Parenting styles can also influence this. Cold or emotionally distant parenting, strict or overly controlling behavior, and even overly permissive (too lenient) parenting styles have all been connected to disordered eating.
Furthermore, certain types of trauma—like childhood sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or being abandoned—don’t just increase the risk of eating disorders. They are widely known to raise the risk for many mental health issues.
School, Sports, and Social Challenges
Lastly, school and social experiences also play a part. Bullying, especially about weight or looks, can leave deep emotional scars.
Participating in sports that focus on body shape or size—like gymnastics, dance, swimming, diving, ice skating, rowing, or wrestling—can add pressure to stay thin or look a certain way. Academic stress and the constant drive to succeed can also trigger unhealthy habits, especially in those already at risk due to genetics or past trauma.
Eating Disorders Are Not Just About Weight, Food, or Appearance
In summary, eating disorders and body image concerns are never just about food, weight, or appearance. Instead, they are often the result of a perfect storm—where genetics, personality traits, stress, trauma, and constant messages from the world telling us we need to change in order to be loved all come together.
Let’s Take an In-Depth Look at Current Risk Factors and Triggers Including (but not limited to) the Following:
A first-degree relative with an eating disorder
Serotonergic and/or dopamine dysregulation
Low self-esteem
Lack of identity
Emotional Dysregulation
Obsessive-Compulsive traits
Perfectionism
Impulsivity
Social media, comparison, and the perpetuation of thin ideal
Objectification of women
Overly rigid, authoritarian family dynamics
Cold and detached parenting
Overly permissive parenting styles
Sports that emphasize weight or appearance (ie. gymnastics, dance,
swimming, diving, ice skating, rowing, wrestling)
Bullying
Childhood sexual abuse
Sexual trauma
Emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment
The Path to Healing
Ultimately, understanding where these struggles come from doesn’t just help us feel more compassion—it also opens the door to healing. Whether you’re personally facing challenges with food and body image or you’re supporting someone who is, remember this: it is not your fault. You are doing your best.
Beneath all the pain of an eating disorder or past trauma, there is a version of you that is whole, worthy, and waiting to be rediscovered. Healing isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about finding your way back to the person you’ve always been.
Are You Ready to Understand the Truth Behind Your Eating Disorder? Reach Out to An Eating Disorder Therapist in Tampa, Florida, and Beyond Today.
You don’t have to keep fighting this battle alone. At Bloom Psychological, we specialize in helping individuals in Tampa, Florida and beyond uncover the deeper roots of their eating disorders and reconnect with their true selves.
Let’s go find you. Let’s go find your glow.
You are already worthy of healing, hope, and wholeness. Take the first step today.
Begin Your Journey to Understanding and Healing
Other Services at Bloom Psychological
In addition to eating disorder therapy, Bloom Psychological offers trauma and complex PTSD therapy to help individuals process painful experiences and move toward healing with confidence and care. We also provide specialized support for UCF students navigating academic stress, identity struggles, and mental health challenges. No matter where you are in your journey, we’re here to support you with compassion and expertise.
About the Author
I may live in Florida now, but I’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart—grounded, direct, and deeply committed to authenticity. In both life and therapy, I believe in showing up as my full self, so you feel safe enough to do the same. I don’t sugarcoat the hard stuff, and I don’t pretend healing is easy—but I do believe it’s possible.
I’m a proud mom to a bright and spirited son, plus one very devoted dog and a cat with big personality. (Let’s not talk about my houseplants—they never stood a chance.)
But more than titles or degrees, I bring lived experience. I haven’t just studied eating disorders and trauma—I’ve survived them. I know what it feels like to carry shame, to chase control, and to feel like your body is both the battleground and the message.
Today, as a licensed therapist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, I use that blend of personal and clinical insight to help others untangle the roots of their pain. If you're reading this and wondering what caused your eating disorder—or questioning whether healing is even possible—please know: you are not alone, and your story matters.
I see you. And I’m here to help you find your way back to the version of yourself that’s always been worthy.
