Emotional eating disorder research is providing professionals with key indicators that may forecast those individuals that are susceptible to this disease. Focusing on individual's negative emotions and how they typically react to those emotions, researchers have been able to confront and prevent early onset of eating disorder behavior. These individuals would then learn new more appreciate methods of adjusting to these negative emotions and continue with the therapeutic process to oversee progress or the lack of progress.

Emotional eating disorder research would develop an emotional picture that shows the specific situations or triggers shared by targeted individuals confronting negative emotions. The profile would include both persons at risk as well as those already diagnosed with an eating disorder. Researchers studied both positive and negative emotions and concluded it was the emotions of anxiety, low self-esteem and early onset depression that influenced weight gain and diet control. Researchers also looked at the individual's ability of expression and the accuracy in describing these emotions.

The research shows a profile of those at greater risk at contracting an eating disorder. The emotional state coupled with a person's inability to express themselves or accurately perceive the reality of the situation when faced with anxiety or low self-esteem will lead to negative behavior. If the stressor is associated with diet or body shape then the sufferer will most probably develop an eating disorder.

The increase in admissions to eating disorder treatment centers has multiplied in recent years with pre-teens leading and sixty plus women a close second. Use this research should be taken into account when developing a prevention program. Today's professionals need all the help they can get in addressing this deadly disease.