Objective The present study aims to explore the potentially longitudinal bi‐directional effects of disordered eating (DE) symptoms with depression and anxiety. Method Participants were 189 (49.5% male) adolescents from Melbourne, Australia. DE, depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed at approximately 15, 16.5 and 18.5 years of age. Results Analysis of longitudinal bi‐directional effects assessed via cross‐lagged models indicated that DE symptoms of eating and shape/weight concerns were risk factors for anxiety. Results also showed that depression was a risk factor for eating concerns. Conclusion Our findings provide preliminary evidence that preventative measures designed to target concerns about eating and shape/weight might be most efficacious in reducing the transmission of effects between symptoms of DE, depression and anxiety. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.