A influência da família nos transtornos alimentares em adolescentes: uma revisão narrativa

Abstract

Introduction/Rationale: This study examines the relationship between family dynamics and Eating Disorders (EDs) in adolescence, a clinical presentation of growing prevalence in contemporary society. Objectives: The primary aim is to investigate the association between the familial environment and both the development and treatment of EDs in adolescents. The specific objectives are: to analyze how familial relationships may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of EDs in adolescents; to explore which familial characteristics may function as protective or vulnerability factors for the development of EDs in this population; and to delineate the role of the family in treatment adherence and outcomes for adolescent EDs. Methodology: A narrative review was conducted, querying the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases. The search employed the descriptors "adolescents," "family," "eating disorders," "bulimia nervosa," and "anorexia nervosa," combined via Boolean operators, across three languages (English, Portuguese, and Spanish). The review included studies published between 2015 and 2025 focusing on familial influence on adolescent EDs, while excluding case reports and non-peer-reviewed publications. Results: The findings underscore the centrality of the family system in adolescent EDs, indicating its dual potential as a risk factor (through dysfunctional dynamics) or a protective factor (via familial cohesion and support). The analysis identified a salient gender dimension, with the maternal figure exerting a predominant influence in the transmission of dietary and body image paradigms. Family-oriented therapeutic modalities, notably Family-Based Treatment (FBT), demonstrated superior efficacy; however, their implementation is confronted with challenges, including substantial caregiver burden.