Factors that influence eating disorders in young children
Understanding Early Risk and Protective Factors for Prevention and Intervention
While eating disorders are most commonly associated with adolescence and young adulthood, signs of disordered eating can emerge much earlier—even in children under the age of 10. These early signs are often missed or misunderstood, as parents and caregivers may attribute them to "picky eating," "growth phases," or general emotional sensitivity.
Understanding the factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders in young children is critical for early identification, prevention, and support. These factors are multifactorial and complex, involving a combination of biological, psychological, familial, social, and cultural influences.
1. Temperament and Individual Traits
Some children may be more vulnerable to developing disordered eating patterns due to inborn personality traits:
Perfectionism: A strong desire to be "good," "perfect," or pleasing, often tied to self-worth
Anxiety: Generalized anxiety or specific fears about food, contamination, or choking
Sensory sensitivity: Aversion to food textures, smells, or tastes (especially relevant in ARFID)
Rigidity or inflexibility: Difficulty adapting to new routines or unfamiliar foods
High harm avoidance or cautiousness
These traits may be genetically influenced and become magnified in certain environments.
Research Insight: Zucker et al. (2015) found that children with high anxiety and inflexible temperament traits may be at increased risk for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
2. Early Feeding Experiences and Food Insecurity
Feeding interactions can influence later attitudes about food:
Overly controlling feeding practices: Pressuring a child to eat or restricting “unhealthy” foods can backfire and lead to secretive or emotional eating later on.
Inconsistent mealtime structure: Erratic eating schedules may confuse hunger/fullness cues.
Food as a reward or punishment: This may distort a child’s relationship with eating and emotional regulation.
Food insecurity or trauma:
Exposure to food scarcity or trauma related to feeding (e.g., choking incidents, force-feeding, illness) can lead to long-term anxiety around food.
Research Insight: Birch & Fisher (1998) emphasized that restrictive feeding practices were associated with higher levels of food preoccupation and overeating when children had access to restricted foods.
3. Parental Modeling and Family Dynamics
Children internalize messages about food, body image, and emotions by watching their caregivers. Risk factors include:
Parental dieting or weight talk
Negative body image or “fat talk” in the home
Use of food to regulate emotions (e.g., comfort eating, restriction during stress)
High parental conflict or criticism
Lack of emotional attunement or responsiveness to the child’s cues
Parents who struggle with their own eating disorders or body image concerns may unintentionally transmit these anxieties.
Research Insight: Studies by The McKnight Risk Factor Survey (2003) and others have shown that maternal concern about weight is a strong predictor of body dissatisfaction in daughters as young as 5 years old.
4. Sociocultural Messages and Media Exposure
Even very young children are impacted by societal beauty ideals:
Exposure to appearance-focused media, even in children’s programming, can shape ideas about "good" vs. "bad" bodies.
Toys and characters that idealize thinness or muscularity can reinforce narrow beauty norms.
Comments from peers or adults about body size—even in jest—can become internalized.
This effect can be amplified in children who are already highly attuned to external validation or perfectionism.
Research Insight: Dohnt & Tiggemann (2006) found that girls as young as 5–8 expressed body dissatisfaction and a desire to be thinner after exposure to media images and peer conversations.
5. Traumatic Experiences or Emotional Distress
Eating disorders are often ways of coping with emotional pain—and young children are not immune to emotional trauma. Risk factors include:
Neglect or abuse
Loss or major life changes (e.g., divorce, moving, illness)
Bullying or early teasing about weight, appearance, or eating habits
Unmet emotional needs or lack of secure attachment
Children may not have the words to express distress but may control eating as a way to manage fear, sadness, or uncertainty.
6. Biological and Genetic Factors
Genetics play a significant role in eating disorder vulnerability:
Children with first-degree relatives with eating disorders, anxiety, or mood disorders are at greater risk
Neurobiological differences in reward processing, interoception, and anxiety regulation may predispose certain children to eating difficulties
Some researchers suggest that early-onset cases of restrictive eating may reflect neurodivergent development or differences in sensory integration and emotional regulation (Kaye et al., 2013).
7. Early Body Awareness and Weight Stigma
Children become aware of body differences at a surprisingly early age. Studies show:
Children as young as 3 years old can express weight bias
By age 6, many children report dissatisfaction with their bodies
Early pubertal changes or higher body weight percentiles can make children targets for teasing or self-judgment
In weight-stigmatizing environments, children may learn that thinner equals better, leading to early efforts to control food and appearance.
Protective Factors
Not all children exposed to risk factors will develop an eating disorder. Protective factors include:
Secure attachment and emotionally attuned caregivers
Open conversations about body diversity and feelings
Structured, responsive, and flexible feeding environments
Limited exposure to diet culture and appearance-based praise
Strong sense of self-worth unrelated to appearance or performance
Supportive school environments with anti-bullying and body-positive messaging
Final Thought
The roots of eating disorders in young children are often hidden, complex, and multifaceted. But early intervention is possible—and powerful. By understanding the risk factors and creating environments that are emotionally safe, body-affirming, and responsive to children’s needs, we can prevent disordered eating from taking root and support the development of lifelong food and body peace.
References
Birch, L. L., & Fisher, J. O. (1998). Development of eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 101(Supplement 2), 539–549.
Dohnt, H. K., & Tiggemann, M. (2006). The contribution of peer and media influences to the development of body satisfaction and self-esteem in young girls: A prospective study. Developmental Psychology, 42(5), 929.
Zucker, N. L., LaVia, M. C., Craske, M. G., & Kaplan, A. S. (2015). Child temperament and sensory sensitivity: Risk factors for ARFID. Eating Disorders Review, 23(4), 294–300.
McKnight Investigators. (2003). Risk factors for the onset of eating disorders in adolescent girls: Results of the McKnight Longitudinal Risk Factor Study. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 160(2), 248–254.
Kaye, W. H., Fudge, J. L., & Paulus, M. (2009). New insights into symptoms and neurocircuit function of anorexia nervosa. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(8), 573–584.
