Somatic and gastrointestinal symptoms longitudinally predict early adolescent disordered eating

Somatic complaints have been identified as potential risk factors for the development of disordered eating. Emerging evidence suggests that gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, specifically, may precede and contribute to disordered eating onset. However, existing research in early adolescents is limited and largely cross-sectional. This study examined whether (1) general somatic complaints and (2) GI-specific somatic complaints predicted (a) disordered eating symptoms and (b) clinically significant disordered eating 1 year later.

Participants included 6228 early adolescents from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development^SM Study (ABCD Study®) assessed at 2- and 3-year follow-up.

Results showed that both general somatic complaints and GI-specific somatic complaints significantly predicted later disordered eating symptoms, including at clinically significant levels.

These findings underscore the importance of early identification of somatic complaints, particularly GI-specific symptoms, as potential markers for later disordered eating. Early screening and intervention targeting these complaints may help mitigate the onset of disordered eating in early adolescents.