Strategies to Minimize Eating Disorder Risks by Managing Peer and Family Influences

Recent research has highlighted the significant impact that peer and family pressures can have on the development of eating disorders among adolescents. The study emphasizes that weight-related teasing by peers is a strong predictor of disordered eating behaviors, especially in teenagers with a higher genetic predisposition to conditions like anorexia nervosa. It found that environmental factors such as parental expectations, criticism, parental care, and peer teasing can elevate the risk of harmful eating behaviors.

The research, conducted by Flinders University, focused on adolescent girls aged 14 to 19 and analyzed the interaction between genetic risk—measured through polygenic risk scores—and social-environmental factors. The findings revealed that social dynamics, including negative parental interactions and teasing among peers, significantly amplify genetic vulnerabilities.

Professor Sarah Cohen-Woods explained that modifiable social factors could serve as targets for preventative interventions. Improving parental and peer relationships may help reduce the influence of genetic risks related to disordered eating. For example, high parental expectations or critical feedback can increase risk behaviors like self-induced vomiting, while teasing about weight can further influence genetic factors linked to bingeing and other disordered behaviors.

The study underscores the importance of reducing weight-related teasing and enhancing positive family interactions to mitigate the risk of developing eating disorders. It also points to the need for further research with larger sample sizes to better understand these complex gene-environment interactions.

Overall, the insights suggest that fostering supportive social environments holds promise for preventing eating disorders, especially among genetically vulnerable populations, and highlights the importance of early intervention and education for families and communities.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-disorders-peer-family-pressures.html