The Relation Between Eating- and Weight-Related Disturbances and Depression in Adolescence: A Review

Abstract

Depression often emerges during adolescence and persists into adulthood. Thus, it is critical to study risk factors that contribute to the development of depression in adolescence. One set of risk factors that has been recently studied in adolescent depression research is eating- and weight-related disturbances (EWRDs). EWRDs encompass negative cognitions related to one's body or physical appearance, negative attitudes toward eating, and unhealthy weight control behaviors. However, there have been no comprehensive reviews of EWRDs and depression research that are contextualized within developmental frameworks of adolescent depression. Thus, this review will summarize research findings on the relation between EWRDs and depression in adolescence using a cognitive vulnerability developmental framework. First, a brief overview of epidemiological findings on depression is provided in order to highlight the importance of examining depression in adolescence. Second, a cognitive vulnerability developmental framework that can be used to conceptualize depression in adolescence is described. Next, theories and findings on EWRDs and depression in adolescence are summarized within this framework. Research limitations and suggestions for future research are provided. Finally, implications of this review related to the assessment, intervention, and prevention of depression in adolescence are provided.

Depressive Symptoms Are Associated with Excess Weight and Unhealthier Lifestyle Behaviors in Urban Adolescents

“…1,2 Depressive symptoms are associated with risk behaviors and adverse health outcomes in adolescents. For example, adolescents with high depressive symptoms are more likely to have problems getting along with parents and peers, are more likely to smoke, and are at greater risk of substance use.…”

A Specific Case Of Non-Specificity: Longitudinal Effects Of Dysfunctional Attitudes On Depressive, Eating Disorder And Aggressive Symptoms In Children And Adolescents

“…Shared risk factors for depression and eating disorders have been reported (8). Preliminary evidence from cross-sectional studies using adult samples suggest that eating disorders may also be associated with elevated levels of dysfunctional attitudes (9,10), but it remains unclear whether the obtained effects may be attributable to comorbid depressive symptoms (11).…”

The Relation between Eating- and Weight-Related Disturbances and Depressive Symptoms among Early and Late Adolescents

“…EWRDs are defined as maladaptive eating-and weight-related cognitions (e.g., body and weight dissatisfaction) and body weight regulation strategies (e.g., dietary restraint, binge eating, purging, and trying to control one's weight [7]). EWRDs affect male and female youth.…”

“…Findings in the literature also suggest that the prevalence of body dissatisfaction among males is increasing, and male body dissatisfaction differs qualitatively from the female experience of body dissatisfaction [9,10]. Despite considerable evidence underscoring the role that EWRDs play in the development of depression in adolescence, EWRDs are not typically thought of as risk factors for depression [7,11,12]. Furthermore, the specific nature of age and gender differences in this relation remains unclear.…”

“…adolescent depression in girls. However, few studies have examined the relation between EWRDs and depression in adolescent boys [7,24]. The gender additive model proposed by Stice and Bearman [23] posits that adolescent boys and girls share certain risk factors for depression (e.g., low self-esteem, pubertal development).…”