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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Time to Address Eating Disorder Risk Among Medical Students
Sarah Mabee1, Harrison Blefeld1, Wyatt Mayer1
1College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sam Houston State University, Conroe, TX 77304, USA.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Medical students face higher eating disorder risks due to factors like stress and body dissatisfaction. Universities must implement systemic changes to prioritize student wellness and prevent eating disorders.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Medical students exhibit a higher prevalence of eating disorder risk compared to the general population.
- This risk varies based on geographical location, training stage, and assessment tools used.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence and potential causes of eating disorder risk among medical students globally.
- To identify key correlates and methodological limitations in existing research.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of existing literature on eating disorder risk in medical students.
- Analysis of reported prevalence rates, associated risk factors, and study limitations.
Main Results:
- Common risk factors include female gender, body image dissatisfaction, perfectionism, stress, anxiety, depression, low physical activity, and social media use.
- Significant methodological limitations were identified, such as reliance on cross-sectional designs and varied screening tools.
Conclusions:
- Eating disorder risk is a critical wellness issue for medical students, influenced by multiple factors.
- Systemic changes in universities, including enhanced health education and confidential services, are recommended.
- Further longitudinal research is needed to identify modifiable risk factors and inform prevention strategies.
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