title: Neuroticism and low self-esteem as risk factors for incident eating disorders in a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the role of neuroticism and low self-esteem as risk factors for eating disorders (ED).
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative sample of girls 12-21 years old from Navarre, Spain. Girls free from any ED in 1997 were followed up for 18 months and reevaluated using DSM-IV criteria. Multivariable logistic models were used to examine associations between neuroticism (Eysenck Inventory) or low self-esteem (36-item scale) and incident ED.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher levels of neurotic personality increased the risk of ED (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for the highest quartile, 3.3; 95% Cl; 1.6-4.8). High levels of self-esteem were protective (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.66). Neuroticism was a more powerful predictor than low self-esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide prospective evidence supporting the role of neuroticism and low self-esteem as major determinants of ED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Clinic, University of Navarre, Irunlarrea 1, E-31080 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cervera
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lahortiga
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez-González
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gual
authors.forename: Jokin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Irala-Estévez
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Alonso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept