Weight concerns vary widely, from losing weight to gaining weight, from practicing good nutrition and exercise to eating disorders that can lead to lifelong anxiety, depression, and even suicide. People of all body shapes and sizes can have significant concerns about their weight, whether they are trying to get smaller or larger. Weight concerns show up in every population, gender, and age group but are most common among girls and women. Contributing factors include diet choices, parenting influences, societal messages about our bodies, attempts to gain self-control, athletics, disease, and food allergies.