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Study suggests interventions for eating disorders before age 9 years

Recent findings indicated that a higher level of eating disorder symptoms at age 9 years predicted a higher level of symptoms at age 12 years, suggesting the importance of early interventions before age 9 years.

“Our research has been different in that we have specifically focused on the factors linked with the development of eating disorder symptoms to identify children at the greatest risk,” Elizabeth H. Evans, PhD, of Newcastle University, United Kingdom, said in a press release. “Results suggest the need to detect eating disorder symptoms early, since a higher level of symptoms at 9 years old was the strongest risk factor for a higher level of symptoms at 12 years old.”

To assess risk factors for eating disorder symptoms at age 12 years, researchers evaluated 516 adolescents from the Gateshead Millennium Study birth cohort who completed self-report questionnaires on eating disorder symptoms and risk factors at age 7 years, 9 years and 12 years. BMI was measured at each age.

Greater body dissatisfaction was associated with eating disorder symptoms at age 12 years among both sexes. Among females, higher depressive symptoms were associated with eating disorder symptoms at age 12 years.

Higher eating disorder symptoms at age 9 years significantly predicted higher symptoms at age 12 years among both sexes.

Dietary restraint at age 7 years predicted eating disorder symptoms among males at age 12 years, but not females.

Eating disorder symptoms at age 12 years were not associated with BMI at any age, females’ dietary restraint at age 7 years, and body dissatisfaction at age 7 and 9 years among both sexes.

“Future studies we do will investigate if our findings with young adolescents hold true for older adolescents, or whether we detect new risk factors. Both possibilities will further inform our efforts to promote and target early prevention for eating disorders,” Evans said in the release. – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.