Abstract

The literature on risk factors of eating disorders is extensive as are studies on the psychological consequences of bullying and – more recently – cyberbullying. Instead, the relationship between peer experiences of bullying and eating symptoms is less studied. The aim of the review is to provide an in-depth study of the topic by systematizing the main contributions in the international literature that focus on the relationship between eating problems and bullying/ cyberbullying. A review of studies published in major databases (PsychINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed) selected 41 eligible articles. A narrative synthesis reports findings agreeing that bullying and cyberbullying are risk factors for eating symptoms in childhood and adolescence, with the concurrence of some mediating/moderating variables; findings are less consistent on the stability of this association over time. The review highlights some limitations of the literature on the topic and future lines.