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Which Population is Most Likely to Have an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders impact people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status. Even though eating disorders impact people from all populations, there are certain groups of people who are more at risk for developing an eating disorder. This post will discuss some of the groups who are more likely to have an eating disorder.
At Risk Groups & Individual Risk Factors
As we will discuss below, there are certain groups that are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder. However, it’s important to note that some key risk factors such as genetics, co-occurring mental illnesses, and psychological traits like perfectionism may be present in individuals from a variety of different backgrounds.
There is never one single cause of an eating disorder. It’s usually a mix of factors. This article will focus on the societal issues that make certain groups more vulnerable than others.
Vulnerable Populations & Disordered Eating
There are certain groups who are vulnerable to developing eating disorders compared to other populations.
LGBTQ+ Folx
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, people who belong to the LGBTQ+ community are at increased risk for an eating disorder. Specifically, transgendered individuals are significantly more likely to struggle with disordered eating compared to cisgendered people [1].
Gay and bisexual boys account for 42% of the male population with eating disorders [1]. The increased risk of eating disorders within the LGBTQ+ community may be a reflection of minority stress and trauma that stems from prejudice.
While eating disorders may manifest as a fear of gaining weight or harmful eating behaviors, eating disorders can be a way to cope with stress and anxiety. The stress and trauma that can stem from being a minority may lead someone to use disordered eating behaviors as a way to cope.
Women & Girls
Female identifying people are significantly more likely to have an eating disorder. The ratio of girls to boys with eating disorders is 3 to 1 [1]. This is likely due to the body image standards that exist for women and girls.
These beauty standards can increase body dissatisfaction which can lead someone to use disordered eating behaviors to try and lose weight or have a certain body shape or size [2]. While there certainly are standards for boys and men, beauty standards have historically been focused on women. Men and boys are more likely to face pressure to be muscular.
Bullying Victims
Bullying can have a significant impact on someone’s mental health. Research shows that people who have been bullied for their weight are more likely to struggle with disordered eating. In fact, 60% of people with eating disorders say that bullying contributed to their eating disorder [2].
This points to the impact of weight stigma in American culture. There is a significant pressure to have a certain body shape or size. Weight stigma is discrimination or prejudice based on someone’s weight.
If people get bullied or treated poorly based on their weight, then our society’s obsession with thin bodies is pervasive. The reality of bullying and weight stigma points to a societal problem.
Athletes
Within athletic circles, there tends to be a lot of attention paid to weight and overall appearance. This is especially true in sports based on weight-class and aesthetics. In fact, 33% of males and 62% of females in these sports experience eating disorders.
Another factor that makes athletes especially vulnerable is that most coaches and athletic trainers don’t know how to identify an eating disorder [1]. This can make it easier for disordered behaviors to remain undetected.
Vulnerable Populations & Societal Issues
Each of the above populations is more at risk for disordered eating. If you read between the lines, you can see that each of the risk factors points back to an overarching societal issue.
Societal issues such as weight stigma and prejudice related to sexual orientation, race, or income directly impact mental health for individuals. It is important to note that while eating disorder professionals can continue to treat eating disorder symptoms in clients, working towards societal shifts may be the most effective prevention tactic.
Resources:
[1] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d). Statistics and Research on Eating Disorders. Retrieved October 10th, 2021 from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders [2] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d). Risk Factors. Retrieved October 10th, 2021 from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/risk-factorsThe opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective on eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published November 29th, 2021, on EatingDisorderHope.com
Reviewed & Approved on November 29th, 2021, by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC
