Psychosocial Factors in Adolescence and Risk of Development of Eating Disorders

Abstract

Background: current findings in the etiopathogenesis of eating disorders (ED) do not allow the formulation of a unique causal model. Currently, the main hypotheses about the etiopathogenesis are based on a multifactorial approach, considering both genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic and behavioral factors, as well as self-esteem, in students of the first cycle of middle school and the probability of belonging to the risk group of eating disorders (ED) measured through the EAT-26 scale. Methods: The study target population consists of students of the first cycle of middle school. The instruments applied to the population consisted in: (1) a survey of sociodemographic data and behavioral variables; (2) Rosenberg’s self-esteem test; and (3) EAT Test (Eating Attitudes Test 26). Results: Of a total of 656 students belonging to eight educational centers in Madrid who were offered to participate in the study, 88.6% (n = 579) answered the whole questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 13.7 years old. Of the participating adolescents, 57.3% were male and the remaining 42.7% (n = 260) were female. A significant relationship was observed between self-esteem and belonging to an ED risk group, with an OR = 0.910 (CI 95% 0.878–0.943). Hence, each one-point increase on the self-esteem dimension decreased the risk of belonging to an ED risk group by 9.5%. In the variables considered in the area of dysfunctional feeding patterns, the variables ‘number of meals’ (p < 0.01), ‘dieting’ (p < 0.01), and ‘drug consumption to lose weight’ (p < 0.01) were found to be related to the risk of belonging to the ED group. Conclusions: The results obtained in our research can help to establish explanatory models that include the understanding of the interaction of the different factors that influence the appearance and development of EDs. Therefore, these should be taken into consideration when developing ED preventive programs.

Eating Disorders and Dietary Supplements: A Review of the Science

“…Other risk factors include poor body image, low self-esteem, previous trauma, environmental stress and pressures, real world exposure (e.g., social media, other media). In addition to negative body image, those suffering from eating disorders are said to engage in one or more risky behaviors which may include: use/abuse of laxatives, use/abuse of prescription diuretics, use of nicotine (e.g., cigarettes, vape), exercise-fixation, self-induced vomiting after eating, maintenance of unrealistic beauty standards, irrational and maladaptive beliefs about body fat, harsh self-evaluation and self-criticism [3,[5][6][7][12][13][14]. These have been identified as primary risk factors that occur before an eating disorder and therefore can be considered in the design of prevention efforts.…”

“…These include psychological, genetic, biochemical, environmental, and sociocultural factors. Longitudinal research assessing risk factors consistently suggests that negative body image and disordered eating are the strongest predictors for the development of eating disorders in adolescent girls and adult women [5]. Although there is a higher prevalence of eating disorders in women, men are Disclaimer/Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions, and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s).…”

Eating Disorders and Dietary Supplements: A Review of the Science

“…The literature indicates that eating disorder incidence is secondary to mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder) in this population. Other risk factors include poor body image, low self-esteem, previous trauma, environmental stress and pressures, real-world exposure (e.g., social media or other media), and several more [3,[5][6][7][13][14][15]. In addition, it has been observed that populations such as sexual minority groups (e.g., those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, queer, asexual, or those who feel their sexual orientation identity cannot be captured with existing terminology (LGBQA+) and those who report same-sex or same-gender attraction and/or behavior) are at a greater risk for eating disorder (ED) symptoms and behaviors.…”

“…In addition, it has been observed that populations such as sexual minority groups (e.g., those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, queer, asexual, or those who feel their sexual orientation identity cannot be captured with existing terminology (LGBQA+) and those who report same-sex or same-gender attraction and/or behavior) are at a greater risk for eating disorder (ED) symptoms and behaviors. In addition to negative body image, those experiencing eating disorders are said to engage in one or more risky behaviors which may include: the use/abuse of laxatives, the use/abuse of prescription diuretics, the use of nicotine (e.g., cigarettes or vapes), exercise fixation, self-induced vomiting after eating, the maintenance of unrealistic beauty standards, irrational and maladaptive beliefs about body fat, and harsh self-evaluation and self-criticism [3,[5][6][7][13][14][15]. These have been identified as primary risk factors that occur before an eating disorder and therefore can be considered in the design of prevention efforts.…”

“…These include psychological, genetic, biochemical, environmental, and sociocultural factors. Longitudinal research examining risk factors suggests that negative body image and disordered eating are the strongest predictors for the development of eating disorders in individuals of all ages [5]. Although there is a higher prevalence of eating disorders in women, men are also at risk and may be more likely to go undiagnosed [6].…”