Eating disorders among female adolescents in Switzerland: Prevalence and associations with mental and behavioral disorders

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of eating disorders in a national representative sample of adolescent girls and association of eating disorders with other behavioral/mental problems in Switzerland. Methods: As part of a national health survey, a subsample of 1,084 15 to 20‐year‐old female students attending school aged filled in a self‐administered anonymous questionnaire focusing on eating behavior and body image. Factor analysis made on these specific questions reveals two major dimensions: weight and image concern (WIC) and problematic eating conduct (PEC). The correlates of these two dimensions were measured using bivariate analyses. Results: Among girls, 62% say they want to lose weight, 36% feel too fat, 37% report fasting episodes, 18.9% fear not to be able to stop eating, 9.1% engage in binge eating at least once a week (1.9% daily), 1.6% self‐induced vomit at least once a week (0.2% daily). Girls who exhibit high WIC (N = 198) or high PEC (N = 75) scores report significantly more mood problems (p < .05), suicidal conducts (p < .05), or violent and aggressive behaviors (p < .05). No association is found with substance use. Associations with acting‐out behavior are stronger among high PEC subjects, whereas those with mood disorders are stronger among high WIC subjects. Conclusion: A large proportion of adolescent girls show concerns regarding their weight and body image whereas a less important proportion exhibit dysfunctional eating behavior. The results confirm the associations between eating disorder and mood, suicide, and conduct problems but infirm the association with substance use. Girls who exhibit problematic conducts appear to require more attention from health resources. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 24: 207–216, 1998.

Eating Disorders in Spanish Female Athletes

“…Comparing our results with those reported in similar populations elsewhere, the percentage of female athletes who vomit frequently (3.5 %) is similar to the figure of 4 % reported in the US by Roberts et al [27], but lower than the figures found by Johnson et al [16] (6.41 %) and Sundgot-Borgen in Norway [12] (10%), though the latter's screening study reported the rate to be 3 %. The proportion of Spanish athletes who diet (24 %) was between the figures of 11 % and 50 % recorded in other studies [27]. The use of laxatives in our sample was very similar to that observed in US athletes (1.1 % versus 1.78 %) [27].…”

Suicidal behavior in adolescents: Relationship to weight status, weight control behaviors, and body dissatisfaction

“…For example, prior work has shown an elevated rate of suicide attempts in adolescents with behaviors such as binge eating and purging. [4][5][6][7][8] The relationship between suicidal behavior and less severe weight control behaviors has not been defined. Similarly, the relationship, if any, between body dissatisfaction and suicidal behavior has received very little attention.…”

Validación de la encuesta SCOFF para tamizaje de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en mujeres universitarias.

“…La especificidad inferior a la esperada podría explicarse por la popularización de las conductas relacionadas con reducción del peso en mujeres jóvenes pero no en mujeres mayores (33,34). Esto explicaría la mayor especificidad encontrada en el estudio de Luck quien, como ya se mencionó, incluyó mujeres de 18 a 50 años (20).…”