Issues and concerns associated with different risk models for eating disorders

OBJECTIVE: The present paper examines issues and concerns associated with different risk models in identifying individuals who may be vulnerable for eating disorders. METHOD: Studies were located by computerized search and the authors' knowledge of the literature. For the purposes of this paper, different risk models are grouped according to three types of sample selection criteria: exposure to environmental pressures toward thinness, parental psychopathology, and intraindividual characteristics. Intraindividual characteristics were subdivided into biological and behavior vulnerability markers, and within the behavior risk approach, symptom and nonsymptom risk models were further identified. RESULTS: Our literature review indicates that risk research on eating disorders is still in its formative years. More well-planned prospective risk studies are needed. CONCLUSIONS: Among these risk models, the nonsymptom risk approach, which defines risk on the basis of nonsymptom vulnerability markers, represents one of the more promising avenues for future risk research and deserves further exploration.