In these families, there is a pattern of valuing members for their appearance or accomplishments, resulting in high-achieving members of the family who are at very high risk for developing eating disorders. In the overprotective family, dependency and overprotection are valued at the expense of age appropriate autonomy. Food becomes a way of soliciting protection, nurturance, and connection. In families characterized by depression or alcoholism, there is a stronger likelihood for emotional problems and eating disorders in family members. These families are often emotionally or physically unavailable.
Members lack intimacy and have difficulty expressing feelings of love and affection.
Instead, there are feelings of powerlessness, anger, and fear of loss of control. These three types of families can impact how individuals deal with conflict and express control when life seems out of control. Of course, there are many other family patterns that can influence body image and maladaptive relationships with food. Although women are at greater risk for developing eating problems, women are not the only group at risk for developing eating disorders or negative body image. Approximately 1,000,000 men in the U.S. have an eating disorder, and even more have a negative body image.