Review of Risk Factors for Eating Disorders: Implications for Primary Prevention and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Many pre-morbid risk factors for the development of eating disorders (e.g. low self-esteem, high body dissatisfaction and maladaptive coping) also have an important function in the maintenance of these disorders. Accumulated knowledge about the prospective risk factors for eating disorders is limited, but growing. Besides those risk factors that have received some empirical support, various other variables have been hypothesized to have an effect on the development and maintenance of eating disorders. The general aim of this review is to provide a summary of current knowledge about the risk factors for eating disorders. Furthermore, it is discussed whether, and to what extent these factors have been incorporated and utilized in current prevention programs and cognitive behavioural treatment for eating disorders. Consequently, the final aim of the review is to extend the findings from empirical studies by suggesting additional strategies for taking these risk/perpetuating factors into account more effectively and thoroughly in both prevention and treatment.

Keywords:

• Eating Disorders
• Bulimia
• Anorexia
• Risk Factors
• Prevention
• Behaviour Therapy