Eating disorders: what they are and what causes them

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 16, 2023

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Eating disorders (DCA) are disorders that manifest themselves through dysfunctional eating behaviour and excessive preoccupation with weight and body shape

DCAs are complex disorders that involve both biological and psychological factors and come in different forms, including:

Anorexia nervosa which is characterised by extreme food restriction, with an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of one’s weight and body shape.
Bulimia nervosa which manifests itself through recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviour, such as self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives or diuretics.
Uncontrolled Eating Disorder (BED) which is characterised by regular episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviour, associated with the feeling of losing control.

Eating disorders (DCA) can have serious consequences on the physical and mental health of sufferers

Anorexia nervosa can lead to malnutrition, amenorrhoea (lack of menstruation), osteoporosis and other health problems.

Bulimia nervosa can cause dental problems, gastrointestinal dysfunction and electrolyte imbalances.

Uncontrolled eating disorder can lead to obesity and associated health problems.

What are the causes of eating disorders?

The factors that contribute to the development of DCA are complex and include:

Biological factors in which we find abnormalities in the functioning of certain parts of the brain and in the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
Psychological factors in which we include low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and insecurity.
Socio-cultural factors including social pressure to achieve a beauty ideal, availability of high-calorie food and limited access to health care services.

The treatment of DCA is based on a multidisciplinary approach involving medical, psychological and nutritional support.

Patients with DCA may require medical support to resolve any physical health problems caused by the disease.

Psychological support may generally include cognitive-behavioural therapy or family therapy.

Nutritional support, on the other hand, may include meal planning and nutrition education.

Eating disorders and the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social and travel restrictions have had a significant impact on the mental health of people worldwide.

In particular, an increasing increase in eating disorders has been observed both during the pandemic and post-pandemic.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on eating disorders, with an increase of up to 30% of reported cases.

This has been attributed to multiple factors, including lifestyle changes, increased stress, health concerns and reduced accessibility to healthcare services.

In addition, the pandemic has led to an aggravation of symptoms for all those who already suffered from eating disorders, delaying their access to treatment and thus favouring a chronicisation of the disorder.

Preventive and timely interventions are crucial and of paramount importance in the treatment and care of all eating disorders, and today they can be facilitated by the use of telemedicine and/or e-health services, as well as in-patient health care services that include out-patient care up to and including hospitalisation, depending on the severity of the cases.

In conclusion, the pandemic situation related to COVID-19 has taught us and emphasised the importance of providing adequate support and assistance to people suffering from DCA, promoting awareness of the risks and costs caused by eating disorders and providing information on how to seek help in a timely and safe manner, so as to improve access to care and enable proper care of the person.

If you suspect that you have an eating disorder or if you know someone who suffers from it, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible.

With appropriate and timely treatment, DCA can be successfully managed.

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Orthorexia: The Obsession With Healthy Eating

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