Understanding early risk factors for eating disorder symptoms in adolescence: the role of body dissatisfaction, negative emotional reactivity and self-esteem at age 10–11 years

Abstract

Objective: Risk factors associated with eating disorders (EDs) have been widely studied, although previous research has been limited to largely cross-sectional data or understanding risk factors in adult populations. Little is therefore known about the role of risk factors in early adolescence for the subsequent development of ED symptoms in adolescence. Method: The present study examined factors identified in transdiagnostic models of EDs, in a sample of 2,372 adolescents who participated in Waves 3, 4 and 7 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The present study examined the association between body dissatisfaction, negative emotional reactivity and self-esteem in adolescents aged 10–11, and probable ED status measured via self-report at age 16–17, while adjusting for confounders measured at age 8–9 years. Results: Negative reactivity and self-esteem at age 10–11 years were not significantly associated with ED status at age 16–17. Body dissatisfaction was associated with a decreased likelihood of meeting probable ED status at age 16–17, however this effect was small and likely not clinically significant, with only 2% of variance in probable ED status accounted for by body dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Findings of the study suggest that transdiagnostic models of EDs may not capture the key risk factors for EDs in early adolescence.