Understanding the Causes of Eating Disorders: A Parent’s Guide

Eating disorders are “biopsychosocial,” meaning they arise from a combination of:

• Biology – genetics, brain chemistry, and neural wiring
• Psychology – personality traits, coping mechanisms, and co-occurring mental health conditions
• Social factors – family dynamics, cultural pressures, and societal attitudes

For example, your child may have a biological predisposition for an eating disorder. They may also experience anxiety or depression, and live in a society that reinforces weight stigma and diet culture. No single factor alone causes an eating disorder, but knowing the contributing factors helps you identify the right support and treatment.

1. Genes

Research shows that certain genes increase susceptibility to mental health conditions, including eating disorders. This genetic predisposition partly explains why eating disorders often co-occur with anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.

Recent studies have identified differences in the frontal cortex and subcortical brain structures, which influence hunger, satiety, and emotional regulation.

2. Epigenetics

Epigenetics refers to how environmental factors can activate or silence genes. Childhood trauma, neglect, or prenatal stress can trigger genetic vulnerabilities, potentially across multiple generations.

3. Neural Pathways and Neuroception

Neuroception is your body’s inborn ability to sense safety or danger. Children with highly sensitive neural wiring may be more reactive to stress, emotionally dysregulated, and prone to eating disorder behaviors as a coping mechanism. Parents can help by providing consistent safety, attunement, and guidance, which supports emotional regulation development.

1. Personality and Coping Styles

Some children have personality traits that make them more vulnerable to eating disorders:

• Perfectionism
• Obsessive or compulsive tendencies
• Highly reactive emotions
• Avoidance of uncomfortable feelings

Repeated eating disorder behaviors can reinforce psychological patterns, making the disorder “sticky” and self-perpetuating.

2. Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Eating disorders frequently co-occur with conditions such as:

• Anxiety or OCD
• Depression
• ADHD or autism
• PTSD, self-harm, or suicidality
• Substance use disorders

A holistic treatment approach that addresses all co-occurring conditions is most effective.

3. Beliefs and Reinforcement

Many eating disorders are built upon beliefs about worthiness, appearance, and control. For example:

• “I must be thin to be loved.”
• “Eating carbs/fat is bad.”

Eating disorder behaviors are reinforced because they temporarily reduce distress. Unfortunately, this reinforcement strengthens the disorder over time.

1. Attachment Security

Children develop an emotional attachment to caregivers. Secure attachment provides a foundation for emotional regulation, while insecure attachment can contribute to vulnerability. Insecure attachment is not anyone’s fault, and it can be improved through intentional parenting skills.

2. Family Dynamics

Healthy family systems balance belonging and individuation. Dysfunctional dynamics, such as role confusion, poor boundaries, or high conflict, can exacerbate eating disorder behaviors.

3. Social Attitudes and Marginalization

Weight stigma, diet culture, racism, sexism, and discrimination increase the likelihood of eating disorders. Children who belong to marginalized groups often face higher risk and under-treatment.

4. Social Support Structures

Lack of community support, overburdened parents, and societal pressures all contribute to mental health challenges. Parents can counteract these risks by creating supportive, structured environments at home.

These might include increased food-related anxiety, withdrawal from social activities, changes in mood or sleep, rigid routines around eating or exercise, or heightened body dissatisfaction. Recognizing that eating disorders occur in people of all weights, genders, and backgrounds helps parents respond sooner and more effectively.

Parents should look for:

• Restricting or binge eating
• Obsessive focus on weight, calories, or “clean eating”
• Rapid weight loss or fluctuation
• Emotional withdrawal or avoidance of meals
• Excessive exercise or compulsive behaviors

Early recognition and intervention are crucial. If you notice any shifts in your child’s eating, mood, or behavior that concern you, trust your instincts. Parents are often the first to sense when something isn’t right, even before professionals recognize the signs.

Reaching out for support, whether that’s scheduling a medical evaluation, consulting a therapist, or connecting with a parent coach, can make a significant difference in recovery outcomes. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse before seeking help; early support can interrupt harmful patterns and set the stage for healing. Remember, your care and attention are powerful tools in helping your child find stability and safety again.

While you cannot change what caused the eating disorder, you can influence recovery outcomes:

• Communicate openly and without judgment
• Model balanced, healthy eating
• Reduce family stress and promote emotional regulation
• Advocate for holistic, evidence-based professional treatment
• Educate yourself to understand the interplay of biology, psychology, and social factors

Parents are powerful allies. Your understanding, support, and advocacy can make a profound difference in recovery. You don’t need to have all the answers to help your child heal, you just need to stay present, curious, and compassionate.

Listen more than you fix, and focus on creating a sense of safety and trust at home. Model calmness and flexibility around food, bodies, and emotions.

Even when recovery feels slow or uncertain, your steady, nonjudgmental presence shows your child that they are not alone in this process. Your belief in their ability to heal is one of the most powerful interventions there is.