Etiology of Eating Disorders

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Etiology of Eating Disorders
04-22-05
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Societal Influences

• Thin ideal for females
• Lean, muscular ideal for males
• Media TV, Internet, magazines
• Distorted images Toys (e.g., Barbie)
• Sex differences in physical ideal
• Toxic environment encourages overeating of
  unhealthy foods physical inactivity (Brownell)

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(No Transcript)
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Model of Eating Disorders
Pressure to be thin
Dieting
Body dissatisfaction
Eating disorders
Thin-ideal internalization
Negative affect
Adapted from Stice (2001)
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Family Peer Influences

• Psychodynamic theory Anorexia stems from a fear
  of growing up and having to separate from family,
  develop identity
• Family systems (Minuchin) Poor family
  communication characterized by parental control,
  emotional enmeshment, conflicts not openly
  expressed leads to anorexia

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Family Peer Influences

• Stice Bearman (2001) Peers and family produce
  pressure to be thin.
• Criticism of weight and body shape, encouragement
  to diet, glorification of ultra-slim models
• Along with the media, this helps create
  internalization of thin ideal body image.

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Cultural Factors

• Eating disorders are found primarily in Western
  cultures (e.g., U.S., Europe)
• Few reports of eating disorders in Latin America
  and Asia
• Exposure to Western culture is associated with
  increased concern over body shape eating
• African American women show less weight concern,
  and higher body and appearance satisfaction than
  white counter-parts, although they tend to be
  heavier

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Protective Factors

• African American women do not identify with white
  women, so media messages of thin ideal have less
  impact
• African American definition of attractiveness is
  broad, includes style of dress, personality, and
  confidence
• African American have assertive and egalitarian
  roles in community less influenced by
  gender-restrictive messages

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Chenese Lewis, Miss Plus America
Ambassador, Model/Actress
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But internalization of U.S. societal values
regarding thinness is a risk factor for eating
disorders among women of color.
And some African American women are at risk for
eating disorders, especially BED.
http//www.cytoys.com/details.asp?id1054
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Other Possible Factors

• Personality Perfectionism
• Negative affect/depression
• Lack of empirical support for sexual abuse as a
  causal factor
• Genetic influences May be a shared familial risk
  factor for anorexia bulimia
• Twin study of bulimia MZ 23, DZ 9 (Kendler
  et al., 1991)

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Treatment for Anorexia

• Treatments teach clients to identify impact of
  societal messages re thinness develop
  healthier goals
• Both medical and psychological treatment is
  needed because body is starving
• Goals 1) gain weight, 2) normalize eating
  patterns, 3) understand alter thoughts related
  to body image, 4) develop healthier coping for
  stress
• Behavioral approaches use positive reinforcers to
  reward weight gain

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Treatment for Bulimia

• Treatments teach clients to identify impact of
  societal messages re thinness develop
  healthier goals
• Medical treatment may be needed because of
  problems due to purging
• Goals 1) normalize eating pattern, 2) eliminate
  binge-purge cycle
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal
  therapy, and anti-depressant medication

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CBT for Bulimia BED

• Treatments are similar for Bulimia and BED, but
  may include weight loss for BED
• Identify cognitive factors underlying disorder
  (i.e., triggers)
• Cognitive strategies are used to challenge
  distorted beliefs about eating
• Healthy pattern of eating, food diaries, weekly
  weighing, nutrition exercise info
• Relapse prevention for potential setbacks