DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

Obesity can present an increased risk of high blood pressure, adverse lipoprotein profiles,
diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, atherosclerotic cardio/cerebrovascular disease,
colorectal cancer as well as completion of fewer years of education, higher rates of
poverty, lower marriage rates (Dietz, 1998) and lower self esteem (Miller and Downey,
1999).
As well as the potential risk of becoming overweight or obese, the converse has also been
found. Adolescents who diet even when they have a normal body weight can threaten
their nutritional status leading to large amounts of fat being lost, amenorrhea, ketosis,
reduced body mass, reduced lean muscle tissue, reduced basal metabolic rate, fatigue,
irritability, insomnia, lack of concentration, and growth failure (Mallick, 1983). Patton
Selzer, Coffey, Carlin, and Wolfe, (1999) in their large longitudinal study, found that
adolescent females who dieted at a severe level were 18 times more likely to develop an
eating disorder than those who did not diet. Those who dieted at a moderate level were
five times more likely to develop an eating disorder.
Kotler, Cohen, Davies, Pine and Walsh (2001) followed 800 children and their mothers
over a 17 year interval and found that early adolescent bulimic symptoms were associated
with a 9-fold increase in risk for late adolescent bulimia and a 20-fold increase in risk for
adult bulimia. Late adolescent bulimia was associated with a 35-fold increase in risk for
adult bulimia. The risk factors this study identified for the later development of eating
disorders included eating conflicts, struggles with food and unpleasant meals in early
childhood. Kotler et al’s (2001) study adds to the literature that demonstrates that those
with disordered eating or sub-clinical levels of eating disorders in adolescence are more
likely to develop an eating disorder.
The above studies demonstrate that disordered eating may increase one’s risk of
developing an eating disorder or becoming overweight/obese. Both these extremes
involve biological, psychological and social complications. This literature suggests that
understanding disordered eating and the psychological mechanisms involved is vital in
the prevention of obesity and eating disorders.
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