Risk factors and outcomes of eating disorder symptoms in adolescence.

Evidence suggests that symptoms of eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder – often characterised by body dissatisfaction, extreme behaviours aimed at weight loss, and/or overeating, are becoming more common in adolescence. On the other hand, extremely little is known about how common other eating disorders such as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) are. Differently from other eating disorders, ARFID usually starts in childhood and is not characterised by body dissatisfaction or desire to lose weight, but, rather, limited food intake stems from 1) poor appetite; 2) sensory sensitivities; 3) fear of adverse consequences associated with eating (e.g. feeling sick).

Across the eating disorder spectrum, little is still known about risk factors for eating disorders, although this knowledge can help identify ways in which we can prevent young people from developing eating disorders. Similarly, understanding more about health and social outcomes in people with eating disorders and eating disorder symptoms could help thinking of how we could better support young people with eating disorders.

This project will aim to identify risk factors for eating disorder symptoms, including ARFID, with particular focus on (1) childhood risk factors; (2) environmental and neighbourhood risk factors; (3) social media; (4) school-level risk factors. Outcomes to be investigated will include: (1) social outcomes; (2) behavioural outcomes; (3) health outcomes.