Eating disorders found to be more common in teens from low socioeconomic backgrounds
Teenagers from households with lower incomes and lower levels of education are more likely to have an eating disorder, a new study co-led by UCL researchers finds. The study, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders and conducted in collaboration with researchers at Copenhagen University Hospital, reviewed data from 51 studies involving 26,174 adolescents from Western countries…
A new study, co-led by researchers from UCL, has found that teenagers from low socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to exhibit signs of eating disorders, challenging the stereotype that only wealthy and well-educated individuals are affected. Published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, the research analyzed data from 51 studies involving 26,174 adolescents from Western countries, including North America, Europe, and Australia.
Senior author Dr. Nora Trompeter emphasized that eating disorders are not exclusive to affluent families and that overlooking adolescents from lower-income households could lead to undiagnosed and untreated conditions. The study revealed that teenagers from lower-income families were about 67% more likely to display eating disorder symptoms compared to their more affluent peers.
Additionally, teenagers whose parents did not attend university were approximately 25% more likely to report such symptoms. While other socioeconomic factors, such as neighborhood deprivation and parental jobs, showed inconsistent results, the research underscores the need for healthcare professionals and school counselors to broaden their understanding of who is at risk, ensuring timely identification and treatment for those most in need.
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