The results indicate that the psychometric properties of EDI-C are comparable to the properties of EDI-2. EDI-C should be preferred for adolescents since its statements suit this age group.

Reported weight history and menstrual status are of high accuracy in teenage girls with eating disorders.

Aim: To study growth and weight changes before the presentation of an eating disorder (ED) with premenarcheal onset. Methods: Growth charts from the school health services were obtained for 45 girls assessed during the period 1990–2000 at Uppsala University Children's Hospital. Measurements of weight and height from the charts and at presentation were recalculated into standard deviation scores (SDS). Results: At their maximal weight the girls were 12.5 ±1.7 (mean ± SE) y old. They were then lighter, shorter and leaner than the general population mean, as evidenced by SDS below zero for weight (‐0.43 ± 1.08; mean ± SD), height (‐0.45 ± 1.01) and body mass index (BMI) (‐0.35 ± 1.07). At presentation approximately 1 y later they had lost 5.8 ± 4.3 kg and were considerably underweight (weight SDS ‐2.27 ± 1.33) and further stunted (height SDS ‐0.76 ± 0.97). The point on the growth curves with the highest SDS for weight was observed at 8.5 ± 1.4 y of age. The girls were then heavier (weight SDS 0.35 ± 0.93) and less lean (BMI SDS 0.42 ± 0.97) than the population average. A tendency to track down through weight and height curves before the onset of weight loss was thus observed. Total weight deficit was as much as 31 ± 10% of expected body weight. Analyses of weight and height deficits indicated that two‐thirds of the weight deficit and 60% of the height deficit was generated before the onset of weight loss. Conclusion: Girls with eating disorders presenting before menarche may have a long history of poor weight gain and growth retardation before the onset of weight loss. This is in contrast to older girls, who commonly start weight loss at an above‐average weight without prior poor weight gain. Since the psychopathology of ED in young girls may be different and less evident compared with older teenagers it is important to be aware that poor weight gain and growth retardation may be associated with early‐onset ED.

Objective: To evaluate the Swedish version of the Eating Disorder Inventory for Children (EDI-C) from a gender and developmental perspective and to provide normative data. Methods: Data were collected within seven cross-sectional projects. Completed questionnaires, from 2070 boys and 2655 girls in grades 4-12, were included. Results: The psychometric properties of EDI-C in non-clinical groups of girls and adolescent boys resemble those found for adolescent girls with an eating disorder. Significant differences were found between genders, grades and pre-adolescent and adolescent groups. An increase in drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction and problems with interoceptive awareness and impulse regulation characterized the adolescent girls. Maturity fears, interpersonal distrust and social insecurity decreased during adolescence for both genders. Conclusions: The results indicate that the EDI-C could well be used for both boys and girls, although separate norms are recommended for pre-adolescents and adolescents as well as for boys and girls.

Aim: Circulating thyroid hormone concentrations are influenced by nonthyroidal disease and changes in nutritional status. We studied thyroid hormones as possible indicators of nutrition in adolescent girls with eating disorders. Method: Blood samples for analyses of thyroid hormones were obtained at 360 assessments of 298 patients and biweekly during 42 treatment periods in 36 patients. Results: At assessment, when most of the girls were on a weight losing course, serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were low. Great weight loss and rapid rate of weight loss were the most important predictors of low T3 concentrations. Serum free thyroxine concentrations were in the lower normal range. In premenarcheal girls, weight loss was the most important predictor of free thyroxine but this relationship was weaker in postmenarcheal girls. Serum TSH concentrations were within the normal range and only weakly related to weight changes. During treatment, T3 increased in parallel with weight but was also influenced by the short-term weight trend. Conclusion: Serum T3 concentration is an indicator of nutritional status in adolescent girls with eating disorders. It is sensitive to short-term weight changes and could be used to monitor progress throughout nutritional rehabilitation.