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Susanna L. Cunningham PhD., R.N., FAAN Principal Investigator University of Washington Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Box: 357266 Seattle, Washington 98195 PHONE: (206) 616-1963 FAX: (206) 543-4771 susannac@ u.washington.edu
Trez Buckland, M.Ed. |
Articles
Public release date: 3-Sep-2001
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Contact: Dr. Jennifer Jones
jennifer.jones@uhn.on.ca
416-946-4501 x5533
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Eating disorders affecting younger girls
In this study of the prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and behaviours
among teenaged girls aged 12 to 18, Jennifer Jones and
colleagues found that over one-quarter (27%) either had significant symptoms
of eating disorders such as binge eating or purging, or both. Of the 1739
girls who completed a standardized questionnaire on eating disorders,
23% reported they were currently dieting, 15% reported binge eating associated
with loss of control, 8.2% reported self-induced
vomiting and 2.4% reported using diet pills. The authors warn that teenaged
girls are also starting to engage in "severely disordered
behaviours" at an earlier age. "Our data indicate that an alarming
number of Ontario schoolgirls report disordered attitudes about food and
weight and unhealthy weight-loss behaviour.
"Twelve percent of girls aged 12-14 years reported binge-eating
episodes in the previous month, and almost 7% of this age group
reported self-induced vomiting to lose weight," write the authors.
They recommend screening for eating disturbances among girls in this age
group, particularly those with higher body mass indexes. .
Disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in teenage
girls: a school-based study -
J.M. Jones et al Contact: Dr. Jennifer Jones, Research
Fellow, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto
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