What causes bulimia?

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  1. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
     

    The cause of bulimia is not known. Factors believed to contribute to the development of bulimia include cultural ideals and social attitudes toward body appearance, self-valuation based on body weight and shape, and family problems. Thirty to 50 percent of persons with bulimia will also have met the criteria for anorexia nervosa at the onset of their disorder.

    More Related Answers from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
    The cause of bulimia is not known. Factors believed to contribute to the development of bulimia include cultural ideals and social attitudes toward body appearance, self-valuation based on body weight and shape, and family problems. Thirty to 50... More
  2. Riverside Health System
     

    Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. A binge can be triggered by dieting, stress, or uncomfortable emotions, such as anger or sadness. Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and anxiety. There is no single known cause of bulimia, but there are some factors that may play a part.

    Culture. Women in the U.S. are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies. Families. If you have a mother or sister with bulimia, you are more likely to also have bulimia. Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to have a child with bulimia. Life changes or stressful events. Traumatic events (like rape), as well as stressful things (like starting a new job), can lead to bulimia. Personality traits. A person with bulimia may not like herself, hate the way she looks, or feel hopeless. She may be very moody, have problems expressing anger, or have a hard time controlling impulsive behaviors. Biology. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing bulimia.

    This answer is based on source information from National Women's Health Information Center.
    More Related Answers from Riverside Health System
    Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. A binge can be triggered by dieting, stress, or uncomfortable emotions, such as anger or sadness. Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in... More
  3. Healthwise
     
    Healthwise answered:

    The cause of bulimia is not clear, but it probably results from a combination of family history, social values (such as admiring thinness), and certain personality traits (such as perfectionism).

    Your risk for developing bulimia increases if your parent, sister or brother has the condition. But family history may be only part of the cause.

    Stressful life events such as moving, divorce or the death of a loved one can trigger bulimia in some people.

    Many young women, such as those in college or high school, have unhealthy attitudes toward eating and toward their bodies. Socially, they may accept and encourage destructive behaviors like extreme dieting or binging and purging. These beliefs and behaviors are not normal or healthy. They can play a part in developing eating disorders that need treatment. Women who begin to severely restrict their diets in order to lose weight are at risk for bulimia.

    Bulimia, like all eating disorders, is a complex physical and psychological condition. Recovery requires treatment that helps you change your behavior and also deals with the deeper attitudes and feelings that cause you to binge and purge.

    More Related Answers from Healthwise
    The cause of bulimia is not clear, but it probably results from a combination of family history, social values (such as admiring thinness), and certain personality traits (such as perfectionism). Your risk for developing bulimia increases if your... More
  4. Mrs. Marjorie Nolan Cohn
     

    The cause of bulimia is not clear. It results from a combination of family history, social values (such as admiring thinness), and certain personality traits (such as perfectionism).

    The risk for developing bulimia increases if a parent, sister, or brother has the condition. But family history may be only one part of the cause. Stressful life events such as moving, divorce, or the death of a loved one can trigger bulimia in some people.

    Many young women, such as those in college or high school, have unhealthy attitudes toward eating and toward their bodies. Socially, they may accept and encourage destructive behaviors like extreme dieting or binging and purging. These beliefs and behaviors are not normal or healthy. They can play a part in developing eating disorders that need treatment. Women who begin to severely restrict their diets in order to lose weight are at risk for bulimia.

    Bulimia, like all eating disorders, is a complex physical and psychological condition. Recovery requires treatment that helps you change your behavior and also deals with the deeper attitudes and feelings that cause you to binge and purge.

    More Related Answers from Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    The cause of bulimia is not clear. It results from a combination of family history, social values (such as admiring thinness), and certain personality traits (such as perfectionism). The risk for developing bulimia increases if a parent, sister, or... More
  5.  Lindsay Johnson
     
    Lindsay Johnson answered:
    As a bulimia survivor I personally lived and researched the topic. As a dietetic student and soon-to-be RD, I specialize in this area. Bulimia has two main sources: a person wanting to be thinner than their ideal weight (based on height, frame, and genetics), and a person constantly dieting or restricting nutrients from their body. If a person is comparing their body to others and is not feeding their body enough nutrients then the body and mind feel there is a threat. When the body goes into fight or flight mode the stress hormones are heightened. When a person is binge eating on junk food without enough veggies, calcium-rich food, and antioxidants, they become depressed mentally and the body goes in to primal hunger mode. This means the body wants to eat more food trying to get the missing nutrients. For more info or to read my Bulimia and ED Recovery Guide Book email me at lindzkfitness@yahoo.com.
    More Related Answers from Lindsay Johnson
    As a bulimia survivor I personally lived and researched the topic. As a dietetic student and soon-to-be RD, I specialize in this area. Bulimia has two main sources: a person wanting to be thinner than their ideal weight (based on height, frame, and... More