Obesity and eating disorders are a growing problem among children and young people. Statistics show that in Croatia, as well as in other countries around the world, approximately 35% of children are overweight or obese, according to the standards set by the World Health Organization. Equally, there is a significant proportion of malnourished children. All these elements are manifested through eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating. In addition to psychological factors, sociocultural factors are the most common cause of eating disorders. Through a systematic review of the literature, 10 studies were selected in this thesis that dealt with the assessment of sociocultural effects on eating disorders and satisfaction with the appearance of one's own body in children and adolescents. Peer influence has been shown to have the greatest effect on abnormal eating behaviors. Namely, adolescents tend to identify with their peers, to compare each other and to accept and respect their opinions and thus, to undergo different diets for the purpose of weight control or emotional overeating due to dissatisfaction with their self-image. Their behavior is significantly influenced by the media, which in most cases suggest that a thin body is attractive and desirable. It is the media that exemplify the deteriorating perception of beauty ideals among adolescent girls, and in a large number of cases, the family is also a significant factor in encouraging abnormal eating behaviors, especially mothers. Research suggests that children of mothers who are dissatisfied with their own bodies, use strict diets and have symptoms of bulimia, have a greater chance of developing an eating disorder in childhood. Knowing the risk factors for the development of eating disorders is the first step in the prevention and suppression of their potentially negative consequences.