Fathers play role in development of eating disorders

The role of fathers appears to be important in the development of eating disorders in their daughters, a recent study suggests. Thin body preoccupation and social pressure to be thin (TBPSP) in adolescence are risk factors for the development of full and partial bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. In order to determine the factors during childhood that contribute to weight concerns and thin body preoccupation, Agras and colleagues (Stanford University, California) followed 134 children (68 girls and 66 boys) from birth to age 11.Two moderators identified different groups at risk for the development of TBPSP. A father with high body dissatisfaction characterized the largest group in which TBPSP was elevated for girls who were concerned about and attempted to modify their weight and for children with fathers who had a high drive for thinness. A child at risk for overweight characterized the second smaller group. Parental behaviours such as overcontrol of their child's eating, together with later pressure from parents and peers to be thin, were related to higher levels of TBPSP."These results suggest that prevention programs for eating disorders should begin in early childhood, possibly involving parental education and behavior change, and that different prevention programs may be required for different pathways," the researchers write. "...it appears that fathers are an important factor in the development of their daughters' views about their weight and shape. Thus, the role of fathers cannot be neglected in prevention or treatment programs," they conclude.Reference...