Who Is At Risk For Eating Disorders by Kathleen McCoy, Ph.D. Teenage girls are most at risk for developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Both boys and girls can be at risk for compulsive overeating and obesity. Perfectionistic teens are at high risk for anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Girls raised by authoritarian parents or who feel compelled to please their parents are at risk.
They may unconsciously seek control of their weight and body shape as their only means of independent choice. Teens under stress with an alcohol or drug abusing parent are at risk. Finally, teens who have low self-esteem and who are depressed may develop eating disorders. They may be especially sensitive to criticism or suggestions that they might be overweight whether or not these perceptions are accurate. The Parenting Resource Center on the Web.