Eating disorder symptomatology, clinical impairment, and comorbid psychopathology in racially and ethnically diverse college women with eating disorders

Abstract

Objective: To examine eating disorder (ED) symptomatology, related clinical impairment, and comorbid psychopathology in college women with EDs across five racial and two ethnic groups. Method: Participants were 690 women from 28 US universities who screened positive for an ED. Thirteen variables assessing ED symptoms, related clinical impairment, and comorbid psychopathology were compared across racial and ethnic groups using analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and independent samples t-tests. Results: Across racial groups, significant differences emerged in binge eating and laxative use. Asian women reported significantly more binge eating than White women (p < .01). Individuals self-identified as the "Other" racial group reported greater laxative use than Asian and White women (ps ≤ .01). No other significant differences emerged across all other variables (ps ≥ .13). Across ethnic groups, Hispanic women reported significantly more laxative use (p < .01), and more comorbid insomnia symptoms (p = .03) than non-Hispanic women. No other significant differences were observed (ps ≥ .24). Discussion: Findings suggest that binge eating, laxative use, and insomnia symptoms differ across racial and ethnic groups in US college women who screened positive for EDs. Findings can inform tailoring of ED screening to reduce current disparities in these underrepresented populations.

Mapping features of pathological exercise using hierarchical‐dimensional modeling

“…Further, all three of our samples could have benefitted from more racial and ethnic diversity, as most participants were White. Eating disorders are prevalent among people who come from marginalized racial, ethnic, socioeconomic backgrounds, and evidence shows that unique risk factors may be at play for these populations (Distel, Egbert, Bohnert, & Santiago, 2019; Egbert et al, 2020; Goel, Burnette, & Mazzeo, 2020; Gordon et al, 2010; Monterubio et al, 2020; Striegel‐Moore et al, 2003). It is important that future research focus on exercise pathology among these populations, who may be uniquely vulnerable to some of these behaviors.…”

Potential eating disorder exhibited with daytime functional vulnerabilities associated with sleep problems in Japanese adolescents: A cross‐sectional study

“…In contrast, some reports suggest that ED symptoms are comparable regardless of race (Javaras et al, 2008;Monterubio et al, 2020). There is no consensus on racial differences in ED characteristics; therefore, racial/ethnic differences must be considered as a confounding variable in the future.…”

Internalization of Appearance Ideals and Not Religiosity Indirectly Impacts the Relationship Between Acculturation and Disordered Eating Risk in South and Southeast Asian Women Living in the United States

“…Cultural history and practices continue to shape eating behavior when individuals relocate to a new culture (Reddy and Crowther, 2007;Doris et al, 2015;Swami, 2015Swami, , 2016Warren and Akoury, 2020). Women of SSEA descent living in predominantly White cultures report greater prevalence of eating disorder symptoms than their White counterparts (Cummins et al, 2005;Doris et al, 2015;Monterubio et al, 2020). Although prevalence rates are important, being of SSEA descent is not a risk factor in-andof itself.…”