Sociodemographic correlates of eating disorder subtypes among men and women in France, with a focus on age

Abstract

BackgroundOn the population level, the association of age and other sociodemographic factors with eating disorders (ED) is unclear.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from the French general population-based NutriNet-Santé e-cohort (n=49 603 adults; 76.3% women; mean age=50.4±14.6 years). ED were evaluated in 2014 with the 5-item SCOFF screening questionnaire and the Expali algorithmic tool. Likely cases of restrictive, bulimic, hyperphagic and other ED were the dependent variables. Age, marital status, education, occupation, physical activity and smoking were the independent variables. Associations were estimated via gender-stratified multivariable polytomous logistic regression.ResultsAmong women, age displayed inverse linear associations with both restrictive and bulimic ED, underscoring 18–25 years as the most vulnerable period (adjusted OR=3.37, 95% CI: 2.24 to 5.08 for restrictive ED; adjusted OR=2.98, 95% CI: 2.37 to 3.74 for bulimic ED, respectively). A similar association was observed in men regarding bulimic ED. In women, age was not associated with hyperphagic ED for which living alone, low education, low physical activity, being a homemaker/disabled/unemployed/retired, a manual worker or a former/current smoker had increased importance. In men, 18–39 years emerged as the least vulnerable period regarding hyperphagic ED (adjusted OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.99). Across gender, having postsecondary education had significant inverse associations with all except restrictive ED, whereas being a student had a significant positive association with restrictive ED.ConclusionsThe findings support gender-specific associations of age with four ED subtypes and could inform future prevention initiatives targeting specific ED among specific age groups.Trial registration numberNCT03335644; Pre-results.

Predictors of Nutritional Status, Depression, Internet Addiction, Facebook Addiction, and Tobacco Smoking Among Women With Eating Disorders in Spain

“…The level of education predicted smoking only in women with AN. This finding is consistent with the literature, which associates low educational levels with higher levels of smoking in EDs (68), other psychiatric conditions (77,78), and even in healthy individuals (71).…”

“…Age seems to be a key factor in EDs. Among men and women, age demonstrates inverse linear associations with both restrictive and bulimic EDs, highlighting 18-25 years as the most vulnerable period (68). Age is also an important variable that correlates with several personality traits and behaviors.…”

Plasma Peptide Concentrations and Peptide-Reactive Immunoglobulins in Patients with Eating Disorders at Inclusion in the French EDILS Cohort (Eating Disorders Inventory and Longitudinal Survey)

“…In terms of prevalence, the population included is fairly representative of the usual clinical population, with R, B, and C patients accounting for 29%, 10%, and 61% of the recruitment. The C disorders prevail over R and B in accordance with previous prevalence studies, and this case mix is close to the estimation of the prevalence of ED in France [31]. Most interestingly, all these patients were included before the initiation of care in the Rouen University Hospital, and may thus be considered as "naive" patients, which prevents from bias related to previous therapeutic interventions.…”

Eating Disorders among College Students in France: Characteristics, Help-and Care-Seeking

“…A recent literature review indicated that binge eating, then bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, had the highest lifetime prevalences [2]. College years coincide with the typical age of onset for EDs [3,4], and it is well-documented that EDs are a significant concern among college students [5,6] with a higher risk of restrictive EDs [7]. College years fall into a crucial developmental phase, known as "emerging adulthood" [8].…”