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Writing Hand Preference and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adolescence: Findings From a UK Birth Cohort Study
Esther Eldridge-Mrotzek1, Eirini Flouri1
1Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|March 12, 2026
Summary
Left-handed adolescents showed a slight association with weight dissatisfaction. This study explored hand preference and eating disorder symptoms in a large UK cohort, finding minimal links beyond weight concerns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hand preference is linked to brain organization and has been studied in neurological and psychological conditions.
- Previous research on hand preference and eating disorders (ED) is limited to small adult samples.
- Understanding these associations in adolescents is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between writing-hand preference and eating disorder symptoms in adolescents.
- To utilize a large, nationally representative UK cohort for robust findings.
- To examine specific ED symptoms including exercise and dieting behaviors and weight dissatisfaction.
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative cohort of 10,950 children born in the UK (2000-2002) was analyzed.
- At age 14, participants self-reported their writing-hand preference.
- Self-reported data on eating disorder symptoms, including exercise, dieting, and weight dissatisfaction, were collected.
Main Results:
- A minor association was found between left-hand writing preference and weight dissatisfaction.
- This association remained significant after adjusting for confounders like sex, BMI, socioeconomic status, pubertal status, and ethnicity.
- No other significant differences in eating disorder symptoms were observed based on writing-hand preference.
Conclusions:
- Left-handed adolescents may report higher levels of weight dissatisfaction, even after accounting for BMI.
- This finding warrants further investigation into the underlying mechanisms.
- The study highlights a potential area for targeted research within adolescent mental health and handedness.
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