Assessment and management of eating disorders: an update

Risk factorsEating disorders are associated with heritable psychological and physical vulnerabilities, most notably:• a predisposition for perfectionism and compulsivity • mood intolerance and impulsivity • obesity (more likely in bulimic and binge eating disorders).Environmental factors such as adverse life experiences including trauma and abuse, often associated with ensuing low self-worth, can also play a role.Exposure to the western ideal of being thin and restrictive dieting appears to be a specific risk factor.Comorbidity is common.Mood, anxiety (especially social phobia) and substance use disorders occur most frequently.