Young teenage girls experiencing family conflict or with symptoms of depression are more likely to engage in activities associated with eating disorders, such as counting calories and skipping meals, according to a new study.
Those who had more conflicts at home were also more prone to dieting behaviors. Feeling depressed explained at least a part of that connection, according to the study authors.
Many factors, including socialization by peers, media and family are associated with the development of risky dieting, said coauthor Adrian B. Kelly of The University of Queensland.
"This study takes a look at the emotional climate of families as an underlying vulnerability of girls to risky dieting," Kelly said.
Girls with lower economic statuses and ones who started their puberty early, having their first periods at age 11 or younger, were more likely to diet than others.
"There are many things that can be done - this study points to the potential value of addressing stressful family events like conflict and working on ways to reduce the negative impact on childrens' emotional wellbeing," Kelly told Reuters.
The authors stressed that the study focuses only in one point in time. It...
