How to reduce the risk of eating disorders

Eating disorders affect thousands of young Australians, but new research shows genetics alone don’t tell the full story. Social pressures can amplify genetic risk. Discover how this research could reshape prevention strategies for families and communities. 

Eating disorders remain one of the most serious mental health challenges for adolescents and can lead to long-term physical and psychological harm. While genetics play a role, a new Flinders University study reveals that social factors can significantly magnify genetic risk, making prevention more complex.

What the research found

The study, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, examined 383 Australian teenage twin girls aged between 14 to 19 years of age. Researchers discovered that those with a higher genetic predisposition to anorexia nervosa were far more likely to develop disordered eating behaviours when exposed to negative influences such as weight-related teasing from peers, critical or appearance-focused parenting and pressure to conform to unrealistic body ideals.

These environmental triggers can turn genetic vulnerability into harmful behaviours like binge eating or self-induced vomiting. 

“This study demonstrates that genetic risk for anorexia nervosa exerts a stronger influence on disordered eating behaviours in adolescent girls when combined with adverse parental and peer relationships," says senior author Professor Sarah Cohen-Woods.

"These social factors – including parental expectations, criticism, and care, as well as weight-related peer teasing – are pivotal in shaping vulnerability to disordered eating.

This means prevention strategies shouldn’t just focus on biology - they must also address family dynamics and peer culture.

The research, led by the Blackbird Initiative at the Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, calls for larger-scale studies to guide interventions. Practical steps include:

• Educating parents about the impact of criticism and appearance-focused comments
• Promoting positive peer environments in schools
• Screening for genetic risk alongside social risk factors

“...a person’s genetic risk is not an isolated factor but can be significantly influenced by their social and family environment," Professor Cohen-Woods says.