Understanding why a child develops an eating disorder is a complex puzzle. New research highlights a significant link between childhood sexual abuse and the development of anorexia nervosa in people under 18. The study found that teenagers with anorexia were much more likely to have experienced sexual abuse than their peers without eating disorders.
This connection is even stronger in specific types of the disorder. Teens with anorexia who also engage in binge-eating or purging showed a stronger link to past abuse than those with the restrictive type. Beyond the eating behaviors, the research found that past abuse was tied to other heavy emotional burdens, including depression, low self-esteem, and trouble managing emotions.
It is important to note that the research does not say that abuse directly causes the eating disorder. Instead, it suggests that the trauma creates emotional and relationship struggles that then lead to the disorder. Because of these findings, experts suggest that doctors should check for trauma during evaluations and use treatments that focus on healing emotions.
