Bullying is not a new topic. It continues to prevelant throughout schools, homes, communities, and online platforms across the United States. About 19.2% of students ages 12-18 enrolled in grades 6-12 experienced bullying nationwide during the 2021-2022 school year. While many believe bullying to be a school-yard problem, one can experience it from peers, coaches, and even family members.

The impact can be profound; victims of bullying face depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, PTSD symptoms and suicide, along with increased feelings of shame, guilt, fear and sadness – many of the same symptoms experienced by those struggling with eating disorders.

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Bullying as a Contributor to Eating Disorders

But can bullying cause an eating disorder? The short answer: Not solely, but it can be a strong contributor factor.

Many factors can lead to an eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. While it’s never the same between two individuals, most cases consist of what we often refer to as a ‘perfect storm’ of vulnerabilities, as part of the biopsychosocial model of eating disorder development. 

Factors Influencing the Development of Eating Disorders

Biological Eating Disorder Influences

Family history of eating disorders or other psychiatric disorders, certain brain chemistry, low birth weight and being a twin.

Psychological Eating Disorder Influences 

A person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors, including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and stress; difficulty regulating emotions; cognitive distortions in regards to reality and self.

Social Eating Disorder Influences

Cultural, societal and media pressures to maintain an “ideal” body type, weight or physical appearance, with any shortcomings often resulting in dissatisfaction with oneself or hurtful “body shaming” from others.

How Social Media and Bullying Amplify Eating Disorder Risk

It’s the social aspect of the biopsychosocial model where the intersection of bullying and eating disorders come into play, particularly with social media. More than 80 million photos are shared on Instagram daily, 500,0000 “Likes” on Facebook every minute, 500 million Tweets per day and 9,000 photos (“Snaps”) on Snapchat every second. Although much of this content may support positive body image, some promote the opposite – body shaming – with the spreading of harmful rumors and cyber bullying of children and adolescents.

The relation of body image to bullying is strong. In a study of 600 individuals, 90 percent indicated that they are currently bullied and 75 percent reported struggling with a clinically significant eating disorder.

Bullying Fuels Emotional Distress That Can Trigger Eating Disorders

So, how exactly can bullying play into the development of an eating disorder? We know for sure that bullying can increase anxiety and depression, encourage withdrawal and apathy and contribute to feelings of guilt, shame and low self-esteem. 

What do people experiencing uncomfortable emotions want? Relief. Unfortunately, many individuals find it difficult to use the adaptive coping skills when feeling anxious or sad or guilty, and may begin using eating disorder behaviors as coping mechanisms for these intense feelings.

The onset of eating disorders are especially prevalent in children and adolescents who have been bullied for their physical size or shape. This may reflect in an increase of cognitive distortions often with the fear of gaining weight, becoming “fat” or not obtaining the perfect shape and size.

3 Ways to Help Someone Being Bullied

1. Pay attention

‍Whether it’s ourselves or others saying negative things, spreading rumors and/or body shaming, it is important to identify what is going on. Take note if someone is isolating themselves, decreasing time with friends or family or displaying unusual eating habits (reducing food intake, hiding food or eating in secret).

2. Don’t ignore it

‍The phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” isn’t necessarily true. Words can be very damaging. The more education there is in the community, the more positive self-talk can be created. Starting and maintaining a dialogue can prevent bullying and reduce the number of cases that ultimately lead to an eating disorder.

3. Identify supports

‍There is a wealth of professionals and organizations that are able to help. This includes school counselors, therapists, psychologists and treatment programs to support with symptoms of being bullied and eating disorders. National organizations such as stopbullying.gov and nationaleatingdisorders.org are great too.

Help for Eating Disorders Is Within Reach

There is nothing positive or productive about bullying, especially given the harmful consequences.

We know finding eating disorder treatment can be tough. Monte Nido is here for you. If you are concerned that you, or a loved one, may have an eating disorder, please reach out.

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