Review of Risk Factors for Eating Disorders: Implications for Primary Prevention and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Abstract

Many pre-morbid risk factors for the development of eating disorders (e.g. low selfesteem, high body dissatisfaction and maladaptive coping) also have an important function in the maintenance of these disorders. Accumulated knowledge about the prospective risk factors for eating disorders is limited, but growing. Besides those risk factors that have received some empirical support, various other variables have been hypothesized to have an effect on the development and maintenance of eating disorders. The general aim of this review is to provide a summary of current knowledge about the risk factors for eating disorders. Furthermore, it is discussed whether, and to what extent these factors have been incorporated and utilized in current prevention programs and cognitive behavioural treatment for eating disorders. Consequently, the final aim of the review is to extend the findings from empirical studies by suggesting additional strategies for taking these risk/perpetuating factors into account more effectively and thoroughly in both prevention and treatment.

Coping style and vulnerability to eating disorders in adolescent boys

“…One of the main lines of research focuses on identifying factors of vulnerability and risk. However, as most reviews have indicated (for example Bennett & Cooper, 1999;Ghaderi, 2001;Stice, 1994), very few studies have analysed the possible role of coping styles in the development of eating disorders. In general, studies suggest that anorexic or bulimic women or those showing a predisposition to eating disorders (as indicated by dieting and/or higher scores on the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), the Eating Attitude Test (EAT), the Binge Eating Scale (BES) or on the Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R), etc.)…”

Individual and relational risk factors for the development of eating disorders in adolescent aesthetic athletes and general adolescents

“…Various individual characteristics are associated with ED, such as perfectionism, low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction (e.g., [11]). Unlike perfectionism, which is a personality trait and therefore is a relatively stable characteristic throughout life, low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction seem to emerge with greater intensity during puberty and develop concurrently in young people of both genders.…”

Personal standards, self‐evaluation and perceived benefits of thinness in girls and young women with disturbed eating

“…Cognitive therapy today lacks powerful components of activism and empowerment. Ghaderi (2001) suggests that expanding the field of cognitive behaviour therapy by including interventions based on critical thinking and evaluation of sociocultural factors could result in more fundamental restructuring of maladaptive attitudes. In line with this we suggest that both individual and sociocultural factors need to be addressed in the treatment of eating disorders and related problems.…”