Temperament and psychopathology in early childhood predict body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms in adolescence

Eating disorders (ED) are highly impairing and dangerous conditions that typically onset in adolescence. However, very few prospective studies have examined early childhood risk factors for ED pathology. Given well established links between temperament and psychopathology, examination of these factors could inform prevention efforts. The current multi-method, multi-informant prospective longitudinal study tested whether laboratory-observed and parent-reported temperament and psychiatric disorders at ages 3 and 6 (N = 609) predict body dissatisfaction at ages 12 and 15 and dimensional symptoms of EDs (anorexia nervosa [AN] and bulimia nervosa [BN]) at age 15 (n = 458) in a community sample. Results indicated that early childhood temperament (positive and negative emotionality, perceptual sensitivity, impulsivity, less shyness) and childhood psychopathology (anxiety, oppositional defiant, attention deficit/hyperactivity, and depressive disorders), predicted body dissatisfaction in adolescence. In addition, childhood perceptual sensitivity and oppositional defiant and depressive disorders predicted AN symptoms. Demographic characteristics (female sex, lower levels of fathers' education, and parental marital status) in childhood predicted body dissatisfaction and AN symptoms. No temperament or psychopathology variables predicted BN symptoms. This study is an important first step toward continuing to identify areas of focus for future research on early childhood risk factors for ED symptoms and body dissatisfaction.

Automated summary

Eating disorders, which typically onset in adolescence, are highly impairing and dangerous conditions. This study aimed to examine early childhood risk factors for eating disorders by investigating the links between temperament, psychiatric disorders, and body dissatisfaction in a community sample. The results showed that early childhood temperament and childhood psychopathology predicted body dissatisfaction during adolescence, and specific childhood temperament and psychopathology variables also predicted anorexia nervosa symptoms. Demographic characteristics in childhood were also found to be associated with body dissatisfaction and anorexia nervosa symptoms. No temperament or psychopathology variables predicted bulimia nervosa symptoms. This study provides important insights for future research on early childhood risk factors for eating disorder symptoms and body dissatisfaction.