Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect many individuals. In Australia, an estimated 1.1 million people, or 4.5% of the population, are currently living with an eating disorder. Alarmingly, less than one-third of these individuals are receiving treatment or support.
The onset of an eating disorder can be attributed to various complex factors, and no single cause has been identified. However, several known contributing risk factors include:
- Psychological factors
- Socio-cultural influences
- Genetic vulnerability
- Modifiable Risk Factors:
- low self-esteem
- body dissatisfaction
- thin socio-cultural ideals
- extreme weight loss behaviours