Historical factors contributing towards eating disorders

All of the following will result in life history events (historical factors), which may contribute towards the manifestation of an eating disorder.

1.

The dysfunctional family:  The percentage of dysfunctionalism in families is staggeringly high.  In South Africa and elsewhere in the world, the place where one is most likely to be abused physically, sexually, emotionally, mentally or even killed, is in the family. 

Most people with eating disorders come from dysfunctional backgrounds.  For those of you interested in this area, John Bradshaw has written a very useful book entitled On:  The family. 

 

2.

There is usually alcohol abuse by either one or both parents.

 

3.

There is an extremely high prevalence of sexual abuse.

 

4.

Parenting style: With anorexics, the parenting style is particularly aggressive and success orientated.