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Research has shown that more than half of college women have experienced eating disorder symptoms, although most do not have full-blown anorexia or bulimia.

While the cause of eating disorders is still unknown, new research suggests that depression and difficulty expressing one's feelings may be risk factors for young women with disordered eating and a history of family problems or abuse.

In the study, published in the January issue of the Journal of Counseling Psychology, researchers analyzed 820 undergraduate female college students to see whether certain risk factors led to disordered eating.

Dr. Suzanne E. Mazzeo and Dr. Dorothy L. Espelage, psychologists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, found that family conflict, family cohesion, childhood physical and emotional abuse and neglect did indirectly influence whether a college student would develop disordered eating behaviors.

However, they found that depression and difficulty in expressing feelings more directly influenced whether women from this type of background develop eating problems.

The researchers suggested that counseling that focuses on coping with depression might benefit people with eating disorders.

More research is needed, but the findings of this study can help with treating individuals with eating disorders. Doctors should not only determine whether there is conflict in the family environment, but also if the individuals are depressed or have trouble expressing what's bothering them now, the researchers wrote.

Additional Resource:

• American Psychological Association