The high levels of stress, perfectionism, and anxiety experienced by musicians have been identified as triggers.

A new study published in the journal Eating and Weight Disorders has found that stress, anxiety, and perfectionism are factors which make eating disorders prevalent among musicians. Surveying 301 musicians over the age of 18, with 86 percent of the subjects classical musicians, the authors of the paper recorded that just under a third reported that they had, or used to have, an eating disorder such as bulimia, anorexia, or binge-eating. Those surveyed identified stress, perfectionism, and upcoming exams and concerts as primary triggers of eating disorders, with perfectionism mentioned by classical musicians more than non-classical musicians.

The lead authors of the report, Marianna Evangelia Kapsetaki and Charlie Easmon, said that the demands of a musician’s lifestyle produced in some subjects anxiety and depression, other possible factors leading to eating disorders. “A musician’s unpredictable work schedule, performing and low income are major factors which both from a mental and practical aspect draw them into a vicious circle of unhealthy eating”.

“Other possible risk factors for EDs in musicians are the cultural idealisation of thinness and attractiveness which is particularly common in...