Risk factors

Gender: Girls in their teens and young women face a higher likelihood of developing eating disorders compared with male teens and young men.

Age: Eating disorders are more common during the teenage years and into the early 20s, although they are also seen in people both much younger and much older.

Familial environment: Those whose families make teasing remarks about appearance or are overly critical tend to be at higher risk of disordered eating.

Psychological factors: Depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders can play a role in the development of eating disorders.

Life’s changes: Changes such as starting college, getting a new job, moving, or breaking up from a significant relationship can be upsetting. One way of coping in uncontrollable situations is to grab on to something one can control, such as weight or eating behaviors. If taken too far, changed eating habits can lead to an eating disorder.

Sports, arts, entertainment: Athletes, dancers, actors, television personalities and others in the media, sports, or entertainment are at increased risk of developing eating disorders. Coaches and parents may unintentionally contribute to disordered eating by encouraging athletes to “just shed a few pounds.” Images in the media, too, can play an influential role, where significant emphasis is placed on body shape and size.