High Risk Groups

Eating disorders are caused by a range of interacting biopsychosocial risk factors(1).

Understanding the range of risk factors, and their potential contribution to the onset of eating disorders, is central to providing effective prevention strategies.

Eating disorders affect people from all demographics, however, prevention strategies are most effectively targeted at high-risk groups:

• Adolescents (12-25 years)(2)
• Times of key transition periods such as finishing school, puberty, pregnancy, menopause
• Women with polycystic ovary syndrome or diabetes
• Athletes
• People with family history of eating disorders
• People seeking help for weight loss
• Children and adolescents with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), cystic fibrosis, celiac disease and illnesses requiring long-term use of steroids