Developmental trends of eating disorder symptoms and comorbid internalizing symptoms in children and adolescents

To determine when gender differences in disordered eating symptoms emerge, when correlations between disordered eating and internalizing symptoms develop, and whether the relationship between internalizing and disordered eating symptoms varies based on age and/or gender.

We used questionnaire data from a community sample (N = 424) of third, sixth, and ninth grade girls and boys.

Gender differences in eating pathology emerge between 12 and 15 years. The relationship between anxiety symptoms and eating pathology among both genders is weak and remains constant between the third and ninth grades. The relationship between depressive symptoms and eating pathology increases between the third and sixth grades for boys, and the sixth and ninth grades for girls.

Before age 12, prevention programs for eating disorders should be given to both genders, whereas after age 12, they should target girls. Further, providers should offer intervention for comorbid depressive symptoms by third grade for boys and sixth grade for girls.