Why are eating disorders more common in females?

There are several reasons why eating disorders are more common in females than in males.

Here are some possible explanations:

Societal imprints: Women and girls are not only often subjected to unrealistic and unattainable beauty standards, but they are also directly shown that the body is a gateway to receiving love and therefore being safe in the world. They are bombarded with images of thin, "perfect" bodies in the media, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This can lead to disordered eating behaviours as a means of trying to conform to these ideals.

Hormonal factors: Hormones play a significant role in the development of eating disorders. Women experience more hormonal fluctuations than men, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, which can contribute to the development of disordered eating.

Genetic factors: Eating disorders often run in families, and we humans model the behaviours shown in our environment, often unconsciously. Generational influence and pain carried by our caregivers can really influence us. We women may be more likely to inherit the environmental circumstances that can predispose disordered relationships with self love and equal disordered eating.

Cultural factors: Certain cultures idealize certain body types quite loudly, proclaiming that a body should look a certain way because it was born with a certain nationality. This is just not true and unfortunately this stigma often falls on females.

Differences in coping mechanisms: Women may be more likely to use food and weight as a way to cope with stress and emotional issues, while men may be more likely to use other coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or drugs. It is important to note that while eating disorders are more commonly diagnosed in females, they can affect anyone, regardless of gender.