Eating disorder risk among Australian youth starting a diet in the community

Appetite, Volume 203, 2024.

Authors: Pehlivan, M., Okada, M., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Barakat, S., Touyz, S., Simpson, S., Griffiths, K., Holmes, A., Maguire, S.

Background: Dieting is a potent risk factor for eating disorder (ED) symptoms and development, which typically occur in late adolescence. However, as diets are often motivated by body image concerns (another core ED risk factor), dieters may already carry heightened ED risk. Thus, the current study aimed to document ED risk among young people starting a diet in the community.

Methods: Young people (16–25 years) starting or intending to start a self-initiated diet (N = 727) provided data via a screener questionnaire, assessing containing sociodemographic factors, past and current ED symptoms and behaviours.

Discussion: Findings suggest a high level of ED risk among young people starting a diet in the community and point to the need for more proactive measures targeted at this cohort (e.g., screening, monitoring). Further education on the risks of dieting and encouragement for help-seeking in young people is indicated.