Eating Disorders - Risk Factors

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Ethnic Factors

Most studies of individuals with eating disorders have been conducted using Caucasian middle-class females. Studies now indicate, however, that minority populations, (including Hispanic Americans and African-Americans), are significantly affected. There is some indication that African-American girls and young women may be at particular risk for eating disorders because of poor body images caused by cultural attitudes that denigrate the physical characteristics of minorities. A 2004 study found that about the same percentage of Caucasian women 72.0%), African-American women (68.3%), and Hispanic women (69.4%) wanted to weigh less, and about half of the women in each group were actively trying to lose weight. In one study, bulimia was equally common among both Caucasian and African-American women, although the latter were more likely to binge recurrently, to fast, and to use laxatives and diuretics to control weight. Binge eating may be an even more severe problem in Hispanic Americans. A 2000 study on Asian women also reported rates of dieting and body dissatisfaction that were similar to those in other cultures, but Asian women had much lower percentages of actual eating disorders.

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Socioeconomic Factors

Living in any economically developed nation on any continent appears to pose more of a risk for eating disorders than belonging to a particular population group. Symptoms remain strikingly similar across high-risk countries.

Income Levels. Oddly enough, within developed countries there appears to be no difference in risk between the rich and the poor. Some studies suggest that those in lower economic groups may be at higher risk for bulimia. But a 2005 study of Latina adolescents found that the risk of eating disorders was actually higher among girls of higher socioeconomic status.

Urban Life. City living is a risk factor for bulimia, but it has no effect on the risk for anorexia.

Intelligence. In one sample, people with eating disorders scored significantly higher than average on IQ tests. People with bulimia, but not anorexia, had higher nonverbal than verbal scores.