Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Risk factors for developing an eating
Psychological or behavioural markers
disorder in adolescence
of an eating disorder
Female sex
Reluctant attender
Repeated dieting
Seeks help for physical symptoms
Early puberty
Resists weighing and examination
Temperament — perfectionist personality
Covers or hides body with loose clothes
Teasing about weight and dieting
Secretive/evasive
Low self-esteem
Increased energy
±
agitation
Losses and major life events
Gets angry when confronted
Family history of eating disorder
195

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Eating disorders in adolescence
Table 31.2
Hypothetical example of a formulation for an adolescent who has developed an eating
disorder.
Individual
Systemic
Cultural
Predisposing
Perfectionist nature
Picky eater from a young
age
Grandmother hospitalized
for weight loss as a
teenager
Precipitating Onset of menses
Falling out with best
friend
Older sister dieting
Perpetuating Social avoidance
Low mood
Highly competitive group
of friends
Protective
Enjoys school
Intact, motivated and
supportive family
Supportive school
Maintained some links
with peer group