There's much that's still misunderstood about eating disorders. The most common misunderstanding is that it's a choice. Still another is that it only affects high school and college students.

"...the doctor told us that while it's uncommon, eating disorders have been found in girls as young as 7 and 8 years old. Yes, 7 and 8 years old. That's barely elementary school. And what is perfectly common is to find them in girls of ages 13, 14, 15, 16."

More and more studies are finding that there are biological/genetic factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders. Another fact few people know is that eating disorders have a higher mortality rate than any other mental illness. Read more at PittNews.com.

Labels: causes of eating disorders, genes, myths