Final answer:
Eating disorders typically start during adolescence and young adulthood, influenced by body image issues and cultural factors, with females being at higher risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most eating disorders start during adolescence and young adulthood. This is when individuals often become more conscious of their body image, influenced by societal and media portrayals of an 'ideal' body shape, which can contribute to the development of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Studies and clinical data indicate that eating disorders are more prevalent among females, particularly White females from Western cultures, and can have the highest mortality rate among mental disorders. Additionally, environmental, social, and potentially genetic factors play a significant role in the emergence of these conditions.