Eating Disorders - Are You At Risk Of Developing One?

How come many girls are entirely satisfied with their figures, while so many others will never be content? The problem often goes much deeper than just having low self-esteem - there are numerous factors that can make you vulnerable to having an eating disorder at some time in your life.

Gender is an issue. Eating disorders are more common in women than in men, but there has been a dramatic increase in the number of boys and young men who have developed the same eating disorders that their female peers experience; both anorexia and bulimia are seen.

Your age is another consideration. No one is impervious to having an eating disorder - they can even arise at some point in middle age. But most commonly, the problem starts much sooner, usually in adolescence or your early twenties.

Your chance of developing an eating disorder increases greatly if a family member also suffers from a disorder. You might think it would influence you in the opposite direction, but instead it sometimes makes it socially acceptable.

A person who has a mental disorder such as an OCD can also suffer an eating disorder, as controlling food and eating is another way to control the world around them. Similarly, there is an increased rate of eating disorders in women suffering from depression or anxiety.

Those who are intensely competitive in athletics or compulsive exercisers are also candidates for developing eating disorders. These individuals sometimes believe that the disorder will help them become better athletes.

And let's not forget the peer influences that shape the way we think about ourselves. Many body-wrecking eating disorders started with a parent or sibling half jokingly stating that the person in question needed to go on a diet.

To prevent yourself from developing or further involving yourself in an eating disorder lifestyle, youll want to take action if you fit any of these profiles. Discuss this issue with your physician and have him or her help you determine what would be considered a healthy weight and diet for your particular body type.

Work on building your self esteem and confidence and try to avoid people who criticize you all of the time. Don't listen to these bad influences that are driving you to an eating disorder.

Also, don't fall into the mindset that there is something wrong with you if you don't look exactly like the models on the covers of magazines. Remember two things: First, most people do NOT look like this and many of these models do not look like this in real life! Second, even these same models will tell you that they are grateful for digital photo technology for making it possible for their own imperfections to be covered up for these photos.