ISSUES AND CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT RISK MODELS FOR EATING DISORDERS

Objective: The present paper examines issues and concerns associated w ith different risk models in identifying individuals who may be vulner able for eating disorders. Method: Studies were located by computerize d search and the authors' knowledge of the literature. For the purpose s of this paper, different risk models are grouped according to three types of sample selection criteria: exposure to environmental pressure s toward thinness, parental psychopathology, and intraindividual chara cteristics. Intraindividual characteristics were subdivided into biolo gical and behavior vulnerability markers, and within the behavior risk approach, symptom and nonsymptom risk models were further identified. Results: Our literature review indicates that risk research on eating disorders is still in ifs formative years. More well-planned prospect ive risk studies are needed. Conclusions: Among these risk models, the nonsymptom risk approach, which defines risk on the basis of nonsympt om vulnerability markers, represents one of the more promising avenues for future risk research and deserves further exploration. (C) 1996 b y John Wiley & Sons, Inc.