Ernährungsprobleme sollten als Ergebnis zahlreicher Faktoren betrachtet werden, die auf Einzelpersonen wirken. Unter diesen wechselseitig beeinflussenden Aspekten finden sich traumatische Erlebnisse, Familiendynamiken und -umstände, eine bestimmte Kultur (z. B. der Schönheitskanon, der durch Medien geprägt ist) oder Vererbungsbedingungen. Ein erheblicher Einfluss wird außerdem individuellen Eigenschaften und der psychologischen Funktionsweise der Person zugeschrieben, wie etwa antrainierten Denkmustern oder Überzeugungen.
The personality of the anorexic
People with anorexia are most likely to possess the characteristics of a perfect personality with compulsive tendencies, which is also often seen in the case of women who are ill. This is a factor that greatly reinforces the desire to achieve a slim figure, and that women take any action that helps them to some degree to achieve what they believe is desired effect. It is thought to be the component that predisposes to illness, and it is also seen in situations that are often observed in women who have compulsively ill conditions. They have a localized level of maturity that is very often disproportionate to real contact, and they are very often responsive to stress.
The personality of the bulimic
They see themselves as less attractive, less valuable, and often disdain themselves. Their way of seeing themselves is highly dependent on other people, which indicates a strong need for social approval and acceptance. Their own limitation is that they meet the needs of the people they care about the most and who are important to them (often they are mothers). Their view of interpersonal disorders often leads to the fact that they often take a stance that can be defined as having a particular gender identity or not having a gender identity. This is a clear indication of the need for greater social acceptance and approval.