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The family environment can also play a big role in a teenager developing an eating disorder. If they are in a family where emotional, physical or sexual abuse is taking place, they may develop an eating disorder to gain a sense of control, to block out painful feelings and emotions, or as a way to punish themselves, especially if they blame themselves for the abuse. The parents may be going through a divorce and be …

…form of self punishment. Being raised in a home where the parents are very weight conscious, could lead the teenager to believe that weight and appearance are very important. Many teenage girls learn to diet by watching their mothers. Instead of learning that it's what's on the inside of a person that matters, they learn that appearance and looking good, which to them means bbeing thin, is the most important part of being a woman.