Research challenges myth that eating disorders are ‘diseases of affluence’.

A new study from Britain that followed 7,824 children, roughly half male and half female, from birth to 18 years found those born into financial hardship were more likely than others to later experience eating disorder symptoms as teens.

Previous research had shown eating disorders can affect people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, not just those with higher economic status. But this new study is one of the first to show deprivation in childhood could be a risk factor for eating disorder symptoms in adolescence.

The study found that eating disorder symptoms were higher in young people aged 14 to 18 whose parents had suffered greater financial hardship when they were babies.

The study also found teens whose parents completed less formal education (meaning only compulsory schooling) were 80 per cent more likely to experience disordered eating patterns than those whose parents went to university.

Academics from the University of the Sunshine Coast, writing in The Conversation, said the study sheds light on the inequalities and barriers in recognising and treating disorders.

“Rates of people seeking help for an eating disorder are already low – and even lower among people from disadvantaged backgrounds,” they wrote.

“Treatment needs to be more affordable. More no-cost or low-cost services are needed to reach everyone that needs them.”