A summary of risk factors and protective factors in eating disorders

Given the increasing prevalence of eating disorders, a greater awareness of risk factors among clinicians is essential. This should enable appropriate screening for at-risk groups, reducing the risk of developing eating disorders and prompting individualised treatment programmes. The risk factors for eating disorders are multifactorial, and we will discuss factors under the following domains: demographic, biological and developmental, personal, psychological and sociocultural. Protective factors will also be discussed.