Because of the recent equation of thinness to beauty, western societies as well as other races have developed anorexia nervosa because of their women and men being obsessed with maintaining low unhealthy weight. A fundamental risk factor in individuals with anorexia nervosa; small number of studies have incorporated struggling around meals,  low birth weight, premature birth, perfectionism and delivering multiple babies to be a risk factor in leading to low body weight as well as low nutrition nourishment. In Bulimia nervosa individuals are preoccupied with feeding as many times they are engaged in repetitive episodes of eating which is considered uncontrollable (Stice 2016). Risk factors to acquiring bulimia have been summarized from increased social pressure for thinning, negative effects from dieting and fasting and thin-ideal internalization. Other risk factors that occur to men and women as well as other races include; psychiatric symptoms, early puberty, having less to eat during childhood, low interoceptive awareness and alcohol use. Binge eating is linked to the risk factor of social pressure for thinness.

Correlates for eating disorders

In all eating disorders, scientists have designed biological explanations to the factor. In most individuals with eating disorders, it is assumed that certain chemicals in the brain that are responsible for controlling hunger are not balance while other individuals suffer from the disorder as a factor that runs in the family (Jacobi & Fittig 2010).

Psychological factors such as lack of self-control, low feelings in self-esteem, anxiety, anger, loneliness and depression contribute to increased chances of acquiring eating disorders.

Social factors like pressure from culture to maintain a thin or masculine body to fit among existing individuals with perfect body contributes to eating disorders. There are cultural norms that value men and women from physical appearance and not inner qualities (Jacobi & Fittig 2010).

Interpersonal factors like finding it difficult to express emotions, a history of being ridiculed basing on the weight and size of the body, sexual abuse and troubled relationships could also contribute to eating disorders.