Eating disorders are mental and behavioral conditions involving persistent unhealthy eating habits accompanied by distress. The causes of teen eating disorders can vary depending on the teen’s situation, but they’re common among teens and are often detrimental to their well-being.
Potential risks of eating disorders include severe health effects, such as:
Anemia
Diabetes
Heart complications
Severe dehydration
High blood pressure
These conditions can also disrupt a teen’s social and mental well-being. Understanding their causes can help prevent or reduce risk factors through early identification and treatment.
Psychological conditions, biological functions, and societal pressures significantly contribute to most eating disorders. However, there could be more unexpected and subtle contributing factors.
In this article, we will discuss the common causes of eating disorders in teens to help you support your child through prevention or early intervention. If you are looking for immediate help for your teen’s eating disorder, give our team at Nexus Teen Academy a call today. We can help you begin the healing process.
What Causes Eating Disorders in Teens?
Eating disorders in teens can be caused by numerous factors. They often involve psychological, social, and biological causes. Understanding the causes of apparent and hidden eating disorders in teens is the first step in solving the problem. Through behavioral health and mental health treatment, teens can work through these problems and overcome them in the long run.
Let’s get a better understanding of the main causes of eating disorders in teens.
Psychological Causes of Eating Disorders
Perfectionism and Low Self-Esteem
Teens with maladaptive perfectionism may set unrealistic goals for their “ideal” appearance. Fueled by societal beauty standards, these goals can lead to body dissatisfaction. Some teens go to great lengths to achieve them, indulging in unhealthy eating habits or excessive exercise. More body dissatisfaction may develop when they fail to achieve these goals since most are unattainable. The mismatch between these standards and a teen’s appearance can trap them in a cycle of indulgence, disappointment, and re-indulgence to cope with the frustration.
Body dissatisfaction can result in low self-esteem. According to research, people with low self-esteem often have negative self-images. They may use passive, unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoidance and self-blame. Others indulge in emotional or binge eating, which can cause guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Another study suggests an association between coping mechanisms like avoidance and eating disorders.
Pre-existing Mental Health Issues
It’s common for eating disorders to develop among teens with anxiety. While not mandatory, their anxiety may be related to:
Food intake
Body image
Weight
Some people with depression may try to cope with feelings of low self-worth and mood through unhealthy eating habits. Appetite changes in these individuals can put them at risk of eating disorders.
Ritualised eating is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dietary restrictions resulting from ritualized eating can cause symptoms similar to anorexia nervosa. People with anorexia may also exhibit compulsive and obsessive behaviors in their selection, cooking, and consumption of food.
A study suggests that while dieting among overweight teens can be relatively harmless, doing so due to psychological distress increases the chances of developing an eating disorder.
Trauma and Emotional Regulation
Emotional and physical abuse, childhood trauma, or trauma due to loss, among others, can trigger eating disorders. Trauma may be fueled by self-criticism, which causes shame and guilt. Some teens may engage in unhealthy eating habits to cope with the overwhelming emotions associated with their trauma. Such behavior may include:
Skipping meals
Binge eating
Self-induced vomiting after eating
Some teens may also face difficulty managing their emotions. Past experiences may have made self-expression difficult, forcing them to hide their feelings. These teens may use food to cope with their emotions and engage in unhealthy eating habits to the point of forgetting why they’re doing it.
Social and Cultural Causes of Eating Disorders
Impact of Social Media and Technology
Social media may create the impression of perfection in edited images of people’s appearances. When influencers and celebrities share pictures and videos of their bodies or routines, teens may develop the idea of an “ideal” appearance. They may compare themselves to the images they see and desire to meet those unrealistic beauty standards. This can cause body dissatisfaction and low self-worth, exposing teens to the risks of eating disorders.
“Thinspiration” trends include content relating to “inspiration” for getting thin. “Fitspiration” trends are similar and focused on fitness. Such content encourages negative self-image while capitalizing on feelings of body dissatisfaction. Though these posts may appear centered around nutrition and self-help, they can have the opposite impact of inspiring unhealthy eating habits.
Content promoting “thinspiration” often leans toward embracing some eating disorders and may describe anorexia or bulimia as lifestyle choices. This can influence the behavior of teens with these conditions or who desire thin bodies. Content promoting “fitspiration” may encourage strict eating and intense exercises, which are risk and fueling factors for eating disorders.
Peer Pressure and Bullying
A teen’s peers may contribute to the development of eating disorders through pressure and influence. Peer pressure can involve encouragement by friends to engage in unhealthy eating habits. As a result, teens may feel an indirect compulsion to “belong” by taking up their friends’ suggestions. Peer influence can involve a deep desire to appear or behave as a teen’s friends do. These pressures and influences may drive teens toward unhealthy eating habits or lifestyles.
Weight-related bullying can cause low self-esteem among teens who are sensitive or self-conscious about their weight. It happens to those with high, low, and average weight. Some may try to control their weight through unhealthy eating and exercise behaviors. Over time, they may isolate themselves from their peers to avoid more bullying or being laughed at. This can result in the development of anxiety and depression. Constant stress and body dissatisfaction can also increase blood pressure.
Conversations about weight can cause an adolescent’s over-evaluation of their weight or body shape, a symptom of eating disorders. Parents who diet may also indirectly influence their children to practice the same, which may introduce unhealthy habits such as fasting or skipping meals.
The same study also found a connection between food-related controlling parenting and food disorders. Restricting the consumption of specific foods can affect a teen’s food regulation abilities, encouraging the development of unhealthy eating habits. Pressuring teen girls to eat can also affect their emotional regulation and dietary restraint.
Some parenting styles involve avoidance of vulnerability or emotional intimacy. This can cause feelings of emotional unavailability and drive teens toward harmful eating habits.
Biological and Genetic Causes of Eating Disorders
Role of Genetics
A review of family, twin, and molecular genetic studies suggests a link between genetics and eating disorders. It found that anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can be transmitted among relatives. It also indicates that the following can be heritable:
Binge eating
Dietary restraint
Purging behaviors
Attitudes like weight preoccupation, eating concerns, and body dissatisfaction had similar results. This review shows that genetic factors could predispose individuals to eating disorders.
The same review indicates that traits like stress sensitivity and negative emotionality are moderately heritable. These traits can contribute to the development of eating disorders and may remain after recovery. Another study found that impulsivity as a coping mechanism is connected to unhealthy eating habits. The impulse to cope with emotions or situations can cause bulimia and binge eating.
Brain Chemistry and Hormonal Changes
Low serotonin levels can cause anxiety, depression, and irritability. High serotonin levels can cause restlessness, agitation, and high blood pressure. A review suggests a link between:
Binge eating with low serotonin
Anorexia nervosa with high serotonin
Dopamine is a “feel-good” neurotransmitter responsible for mood, motivation, and movement control. Smelling or seeing tasty food can increase dopamine secretion and boost a person’s desire for food. Some individuals experience stronger cravings due to premature dopamine release, causing a lack of control when eating.
Hormonal changes during puberty can also alter teens’ brain functioning and increase their self-awareness. They may also develop new body images, amplifying their vulnerability to eating disorders. Hormone surges related to the following may happen:
Reward processing
Emotional regulation
Social-cognitive reasoning
This can be a confusing phase for most adolescents, who end up resorting to unhealthy eating habits to cope with the changes they’re undergoing.
Environmental Triggers and Risk Factors
Stressful Life Events
Academic pressure can contribute to perfectionism among teens. They may feel pressure from expectations for good grades and assignment excellence. This can cause anxiety and drive teens to find unhealthy coping mechanisms in food.
Adolescents in relationships may also feel internal pressure to change how they look to become more attractive. Toxic relationships or breakups can trigger harmful eating habits as coping strategies.
Major transitions can be overwhelming for most teens. Some may feel stressed or anxious about the changes and resort to unhealthy coping through binge eating.
Other major life events can also increase stress, anxiety, confusion, and mood instability. These changes may overcome a teen’s healthy coping mechanisms and drive them to harmful habits. Examples of such events are:
Loss of a loved one
Moving to a new school
Starting middle school or high school
Moving to a new neighborhood
Parental divorce or separation
Exposure to Diet Culture
Idealizing practices like dieting or weight loss in society can encourage harmful habits among teens. Such ideals glorify certain body types like slim or muscular bodies. They may set unrealistic body shape standards and encourage unhealthy lifestyles to achieve them. This can contribute to:
Body dissatisfaction
A negative self-image
Low self-esteem
In turn, this may cause anxiety and depression, preceding the development of eating disorders.
Fad diets promise quick results for weight loss but aren’t backed by scientific evidence and often fail to ensure a healthy diet. Such dieting can result in:
Hunger
Low mood and energy levels
Poor physical and mental health
Some detox trends recommend eating specific foods or fasting, which can harm the body and contribute to unhealthy eating habits. Fad diets and detox trends capitalize on the desire to meet unrealistic body goals quickly.
How to Address the Causes of Eating Disorders
Promoting a Healthy Body Image
Self-acceptance helps teens acknowledge that they are okay as they are in the present. You can support them in practicing self-acceptance by encouraging them to:
Identify harmful patterns resulting from beliefs
Differentiate who they are from what they do
Embrace their values and strengths
Exercise self-care
Celebrating a teen’s small achievements as much as their bigger ones can boost their self-confidence and encourage ongoing recovery. A study found that positive reinforcement of progressive weight gain and food consumption restored healthy weight and calorie intake.
Most teens spend more time in school than at home throughout the year. Doing well in school with peer support can increase their confidence and self-efficacy. Healthy relationships between parents can also improve a teen’s openness, impacting their confidence. If they’re happy and doing well at home, your children can do well in school, too. This improves their mental and social well-being, which can inhibit the development of eating disorders.
Open Communication and Support
Creating a safe space for teens encourages them to be authentic and to express their feelings. This can help parents and teachers understand their struggles and find ways to assist them early. It also:
Cultivates a deep connection with teens and builds trust.
Prevents withdrawal or isolation by making teens feel they have someone they can talk to openly.
If you have concerns about a teen’s eating or lifestyle behavior, you can address them without judgment by:
Always being compassionate (ABC): Compassionate conversations can make teens feel comfortable enough to express themselves openly.
Explaining your concern: Talk about behaviors you’ve identified and why you’re concerned.
Being patient: Be supportive and let teens know you’re willing to listen without judgment whenever they’re ready to talk.
Finding reasons for change: Ask open-ended questions about whether they can consider change. Let them know that help is available when they’re ready.
Professional Help and Prevention Strategies
If you’ve noticed worrying signs in your child or student that may indicate an eating disorder, find them help. The following professionals can address these conditions:
Therapists
Counselors
Dietitians
At Nexus Teen Academy, we have a team of teen mental health treatment experts who can guide eating disorders. Call or visit us to learn about and find the appropriate treatment for your child.
Early intervention can greatly reduce the risks of eating disorders, boost self-awareness, and increase motivation for help and treatment. It can also result in positive clinical outcomes and contribute to long-term recovery.
Teen Behavioral Health Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Eating disorders can be caused by various factors, including:
Peer pressure and bullying
Genetics, diet, culture, and stressful life events
Pre-existing mental illnesses, brain chemistry, and hormones
Upbringing, parental attitudes, trauma, and emotional dysregulation
Perfectionism, low self-esteem, unrealistic beauty standards, and trends
Understanding the underlying factors contributing to these conditions can help prevent their development and address the challenges that teens undergo during puberty. This can make them feel understood and supported.
Many types of teen eating disorders can be prevented and treated. Early intervention can also have great mental, physical, and social impacts on a teen’s well-being. Find your child support today to give them a chance at a happy life. Call or visit our team at Nexus Teen Academy for professional guidance on where or how to start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are boys affected by eating disorders as much as girls?
Common Causes of Eating Disorders in Teens
Published By nexus_admin
Published On April 3, 2025
Table of Contents
Eating disorders are mental and behavioral conditions involving persistent unhealthy eating habits accompanied by distress. The causes of teen eating disorders can vary depending on the teen’s situation, but they’re common among teens and are often detrimental to their well-being.
Potential risks of eating disorders include severe health effects, such as:
These conditions can also disrupt a teen’s social and mental well-being. Understanding their causes can help prevent or reduce risk factors through early identification and treatment.
Psychological conditions, biological functions, and societal pressures significantly contribute to most eating disorders. However, there could be more unexpected and subtle contributing factors.
In this article, we will discuss the common causes of eating disorders in teens to help you support your child through prevention or early intervention. If you are looking for immediate help for your teen’s eating disorder, give our team at Nexus Teen Academy a call today. We can help you begin the healing process.
What Causes Eating Disorders in Teens?
Eating disorders in teens can be caused by numerous factors. They often involve psychological, social, and biological causes. Understanding the causes of apparent and hidden eating disorders in teens is the first step in solving the problem. Through behavioral health and mental health treatment, teens can work through these problems and overcome them in the long run.
Let’s get a better understanding of the main causes of eating disorders in teens.
Psychological Causes of Eating Disorders
Perfectionism and Low Self-Esteem
Teens with maladaptive perfectionism may set unrealistic goals for their “ideal” appearance. Fueled by societal beauty standards, these goals can lead to body dissatisfaction. Some teens go to great lengths to achieve them, indulging in unhealthy eating habits or excessive exercise. More body dissatisfaction may develop when they fail to achieve these goals since most are unattainable. The mismatch between these standards and a teen’s appearance can trap them in a cycle of indulgence, disappointment, and re-indulgence to cope with the frustration.
Body dissatisfaction can result in low self-esteem. According to research, people with low self-esteem often have negative self-images. They may use passive, unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoidance and self-blame. Others indulge in emotional or binge eating, which can cause guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Another study suggests an association between coping mechanisms like avoidance and eating disorders.
Pre-existing Mental Health Issues
It’s common for eating disorders to develop among teens with anxiety. While not mandatory, their anxiety may be related to:
Some people with depression may try to cope with feelings of low self-worth and mood through unhealthy eating habits. Appetite changes in these individuals can put them at risk of eating disorders.
Ritualised eating is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dietary restrictions resulting from ritualized eating can cause symptoms similar to anorexia nervosa. People with anorexia may also exhibit compulsive and obsessive behaviors in their selection, cooking, and consumption of food.
A study suggests that while dieting among overweight teens can be relatively harmless, doing so due to psychological distress increases the chances of developing an eating disorder.
Trauma and Emotional Regulation
Emotional and physical abuse, childhood trauma, or trauma due to loss, among others, can trigger eating disorders. Trauma may be fueled by self-criticism, which causes shame and guilt. Some teens may engage in unhealthy eating habits to cope with the overwhelming emotions associated with their trauma. Such behavior may include:
Some teens may also face difficulty managing their emotions. Past experiences may have made self-expression difficult, forcing them to hide their feelings. These teens may use food to cope with their emotions and engage in unhealthy eating habits to the point of forgetting why they’re doing it.
Social and Cultural Causes of Eating Disorders
Impact of Social Media and Technology
Social media may create the impression of perfection in edited images of people’s appearances. When influencers and celebrities share pictures and videos of their bodies or routines, teens may develop the idea of an “ideal” appearance. They may compare themselves to the images they see and desire to meet those unrealistic beauty standards. This can cause body dissatisfaction and low self-worth, exposing teens to the risks of eating disorders.
“Thinspiration” trends include content relating to “inspiration” for getting thin. “Fitspiration” trends are similar and focused on fitness. Such content encourages negative self-image while capitalizing on feelings of body dissatisfaction. Though these posts may appear centered around nutrition and self-help, they can have the opposite impact of inspiring unhealthy eating habits.
Content promoting “thinspiration” often leans toward embracing some eating disorders and may describe anorexia or bulimia as lifestyle choices. This can influence the behavior of teens with these conditions or who desire thin bodies. Content promoting “fitspiration” may encourage strict eating and intense exercises, which are risk and fueling factors for eating disorders.
Peer Pressure and Bullying
A teen’s peers may contribute to the development of eating disorders through pressure and influence. Peer pressure can involve encouragement by friends to engage in unhealthy eating habits. As a result, teens may feel an indirect compulsion to “belong” by taking up their friends’ suggestions. Peer influence can involve a deep desire to appear or behave as a teen’s friends do. These pressures and influences may drive teens toward unhealthy eating habits or lifestyles.
Weight-related bullying can cause low self-esteem among teens who are sensitive or self-conscious about their weight. It happens to those with high, low, and average weight. Some may try to control their weight through unhealthy eating and exercise behaviors. Over time, they may isolate themselves from their peers to avoid more bullying or being laughed at. This can result in the development of anxiety and depression. Constant stress and body dissatisfaction can also increase blood pressure.
Family Dynamics and Upbringing
Research suggests an association between eating disorders and parental attitudes toward:
Conversations about weight can cause an adolescent’s over-evaluation of their weight or body shape, a symptom of eating disorders. Parents who diet may also indirectly influence their children to practice the same, which may introduce unhealthy habits such as fasting or skipping meals.
The same study also found a connection between food-related controlling parenting and food disorders. Restricting the consumption of specific foods can affect a teen’s food regulation abilities, encouraging the development of unhealthy eating habits. Pressuring teen girls to eat can also affect their emotional regulation and dietary restraint.
Some parenting styles involve avoidance of vulnerability or emotional intimacy. This can cause feelings of emotional unavailability and drive teens toward harmful eating habits.
Biological and Genetic Causes of Eating Disorders
Role of Genetics
A review of family, twin, and molecular genetic studies suggests a link between genetics and eating disorders. It found that anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can be transmitted among relatives. It also indicates that the following can be heritable:
Attitudes like weight preoccupation, eating concerns, and body dissatisfaction had similar results. This review shows that genetic factors could predispose individuals to eating disorders.
The same review indicates that traits like stress sensitivity and negative emotionality are moderately heritable. These traits can contribute to the development of eating disorders and may remain after recovery. Another study found that impulsivity as a coping mechanism is connected to unhealthy eating habits. The impulse to cope with emotions or situations can cause bulimia and binge eating.
Brain Chemistry and Hormonal Changes
Low serotonin levels can cause anxiety, depression, and irritability. High serotonin levels can cause restlessness, agitation, and high blood pressure. A review suggests a link between:
Dopamine is a “feel-good” neurotransmitter responsible for mood, motivation, and movement control. Smelling or seeing tasty food can increase dopamine secretion and boost a person’s desire for food. Some individuals experience stronger cravings due to premature dopamine release, causing a lack of control when eating.
Hormonal changes during puberty can also alter teens’ brain functioning and increase their self-awareness. They may also develop new body images, amplifying their vulnerability to eating disorders. Hormone surges related to the following may happen:
This can be a confusing phase for most adolescents, who end up resorting to unhealthy eating habits to cope with the changes they’re undergoing.
Environmental Triggers and Risk Factors
Stressful Life Events
Academic pressure can contribute to perfectionism among teens. They may feel pressure from expectations for good grades and assignment excellence. This can cause anxiety and drive teens to find unhealthy coping mechanisms in food.
Adolescents in relationships may also feel internal pressure to change how they look to become more attractive. Toxic relationships or breakups can trigger harmful eating habits as coping strategies.
Major transitions can be overwhelming for most teens. Some may feel stressed or anxious about the changes and resort to unhealthy coping through binge eating.
Other major life events can also increase stress, anxiety, confusion, and mood instability. These changes may overcome a teen’s healthy coping mechanisms and drive them to harmful habits. Examples of such events are:
Exposure to Diet Culture
Idealizing practices like dieting or weight loss in society can encourage harmful habits among teens. Such ideals glorify certain body types like slim or muscular bodies. They may set unrealistic body shape standards and encourage unhealthy lifestyles to achieve them. This can contribute to:
In turn, this may cause anxiety and depression, preceding the development of eating disorders.
Fad diets promise quick results for weight loss but aren’t backed by scientific evidence and often fail to ensure a healthy diet. Such dieting can result in:
Some detox trends recommend eating specific foods or fasting, which can harm the body and contribute to unhealthy eating habits. Fad diets and detox trends capitalize on the desire to meet unrealistic body goals quickly.
How to Address the Causes of Eating Disorders
Promoting a Healthy Body Image
Self-acceptance helps teens acknowledge that they are okay as they are in the present. You can support them in practicing self-acceptance by encouraging them to:
Celebrating a teen’s small achievements as much as their bigger ones can boost their self-confidence and encourage ongoing recovery. A study found that positive reinforcement of progressive weight gain and food consumption restored healthy weight and calorie intake.
Most teens spend more time in school than at home throughout the year. Doing well in school with peer support can increase their confidence and self-efficacy. Healthy relationships between parents can also improve a teen’s openness, impacting their confidence. If they’re happy and doing well at home, your children can do well in school, too. This improves their mental and social well-being, which can inhibit the development of eating disorders.
Open Communication and Support
Creating a safe space for teens encourages them to be authentic and to express their feelings. This can help parents and teachers understand their struggles and find ways to assist them early. It also:
If you have concerns about a teen’s eating or lifestyle behavior, you can address them without judgment by:
Professional Help and Prevention Strategies
If you’ve noticed worrying signs in your child or student that may indicate an eating disorder, find them help. The following professionals can address these conditions:
At Nexus Teen Academy, we have a team of teen mental health treatment experts who can guide eating disorders. Call or visit us to learn about and find the appropriate treatment for your child.
Early intervention can greatly reduce the risks of eating disorders, boost self-awareness, and increase motivation for help and treatment. It can also result in positive clinical outcomes and contribute to long-term recovery.
Teen Behavioral Health Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Eating disorders can be caused by various factors, including:
Understanding the underlying factors contributing to these conditions can help prevent their development and address the challenges that teens undergo during puberty. This can make them feel understood and supported.
Many types of teen eating disorders can be prevented and treated. Early intervention can also have great mental, physical, and social impacts on a teen’s well-being. Find your child support today to give them a chance at a happy life. Call or visit our team at Nexus Teen Academy for professional guidance on where or how to start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, they’re not. This does not mean that boys are not affected by eating disorders–they are. However, eating disorders in teen girls are more common than eating disorders in boys.
Parents can identify early signs of an eating disorder by watching out for: