Does the rise in eating disorders lead to increasing risk of orthorexia nervosa? Correlations with gender, education, and body mass index.

Investigating eating disorders and orthorexia nervosa, especially in the young population, is an important step in taking protective precautions and identifying disease. This study was carried out to determine the relationship of eating disorders and orthorexia nervosa to gender, BMI, and field of study in a population of university students in Turkey. In all, 900 university students aged 17-23 years participated in this study. EAT-40 and ORTO-15, which are validated instruments for the screening of participants with anormal eating behaviors and orthorexia nervosa, respectively, were used. There was not a significant difference in EAT-40 scores according to gender and BMI classification. However, EAT-40 scores were high among the students in social science. The number of orthorectic participants among women is higher than that among men, and ORTO-15 scores were not associated with BMI classification and field of study. A significant negative correlation was found between EAT-40 and ORTO-15 scores.

Nutrição e transtornos alimentares na adolescência / Nutrition and alimentary disorders in adolescence

Atualização dos principais aspectos relativos à nutrição na infância e adolescência, com particular enfoque nos principais distúrbios alimentares encontrados nessa faixa etária, anorexia nervosa e bulimia nervosa e abordando os recursos diagnósticos e a conduta terapêutica.

Fatores preditivos para transtornos alimentares em universitárias do curso de nutrição da Unijuí, Ijuí,RS / Predictive factors for eating disorders in the course of university nutrition at Unijuí, Ijuí, RS / Los factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios en el curso de nutrición universitaria en Unijuí, Ijuí, RS

Introdução: Os transtornos alimentares são definidos como desvios do comportamento alimentar que podem levar à caquexia ou à obesidade, entre outros problemas físicos e incapacidades sócio-ocupacionais. Objetivo: Avaliar a presença de fatores preditivos de transtornos alimentares em estudantes de nutrição da Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul- UNIJUI. Método: Foi aplicado o questionário Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), instrumento que contém 26 perguntas sobre o comportamento alimentar e imagem corporal, podendo variar de 0 a 78 pontos, sendo que foi considerado risco para transtorno um somatório > a 20. Dados como massa corporal e estatura foram auto-referidos. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 116 universitárias, destas 18,1% consideradas EAT (+) e 81,9% EAT(-), na faixa etária entre 20 e 30 anos, com renda entre 3 a 4,9 salários mínimos. A massa corporal nas EAT(+) variou de 44 a 80kg e nas EAT9-) variou de 43 a 82kg. Tanto EAT(+) quanto EAT(-) encontram-se em eutrofia, sendo 81% e 82,1%, respectivamente. Os principais fatores preditivos para transtornos alimentares citados pelo maior número de estudantes com EAT(+) foram: preocupação com a gordura corporal (100%), pavor com o excesso de peso (90,5%), conhecimento sobre o número de calorias dos alimentos que comem (85,7%), preocupação com o desejo de ser mais magra (80,9%). Conclusão: Conclui-se que há um valor expressivo de estudantes de nutrição com fatores preditivos para transtornos alimentares.

Introduction: Eating disorders are defined as deviations in eating behavior that can lead to cachexia or obesity, among other physical and socio-occupational disabilities. Objective: To evaluate the presence of factors predictive of eating disorders in students of nutrition at the University of the West Regional of Rio Grande do Sul-UNIJUÍ. Method: We used the questionnaire Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), an instrument that contains 26 questions on eating behavior and body image, ranging from 0 to 78 points, and was considered a risk for disorder sum> 20. Data such as body mass and height were self-referred. Results: Participants were 116 university students, 18.1% of these considered EAT (+) and 81.9% TSS (-), aged between 20 and 30 years, with income between 3 to 4.9 minimum wages. Body mass in EAT (+) ranged from 44 to 80kg and the EAT9-) ranged from 43 to 82kg. Both EAT (+) and EAT (-) are eutrophic, 81% and 82.1%, respectively. The main predictive factors for eating disorders cited by the largest number of students with EAT (+) were concerned with body fat (100%), with fear being overweight (90.5%), knowledge about the number of calories from eat foods (85.7%), concern the desire to be thinner (80.9%). Conclusion: We conclude that there is a significant value for students of nutrition with predictive factors for eating disorders.

Introducción: Los trastornos alimentarios se definen como las desviaciones en la conducta alimentaria que puede conducir a la caquexia o la obesidad, entre otras discapacidades físicas y socio-laborales. Objetivo: Evaluar la presencia de factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios en estudiantes de nutrición de la Universidad de la Regional Oeste de Río Grande do Sul-UNIJUÍ. Método: Se utilizó el cuestionario de Actitudes Comer prueba (EAT), un instrumento que contiene 26 preguntas sobre la conducta alimentaria y la imagen corporal, que van de 0 a 78 puntos, y fue considerado un riesgo para el trastorno de suma> 20. Datos como la masa corporal y la altura se auto-referencia. Resultados: Los participantes fueron 116 estudiantes universitarios, el 18,1% de estos considera EAT (+) y TSS 81,9% (-), con edades comprendidas entre 20 y 30 años, con ingresos entre 3 a 4.9 salarios mínimos. De masa corporal en el EAT (+) es de 44 a 80 kg y el EAT9) varió de 43 a 82kg. Ambos EAT (+) y EAT (-) son eutróficos%, el 81 y el 82,1%, respectivamente. Los principales factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios citados por el mayor número de estudiantes con EAT (+) se refiere a la grasa corporal (100%), con el miedo el exceso de peso (90,5%), el conocimiento sobre el número de calorías de comer alimentos (85,7%), la preocupación del deseo de ser delgado (80,9%). Conclusión: Se concluye que existe un valor significativo para los estudiantes de la nutrición con los factores predictivos de los trastornos alimentarios.

Determinants of disordered eating behaviors among Israeli adolescent girls.

Eating behaviors were assessed by a modified SCOFF questionnaire in a National representative cross-sectional study among 2978 Israeli schoolgirls. The mean age was 14.7. Thirty percent met the criteria for disordered eating. Being Jewish or underweight reduced the odds for disordered eating. The following increased the risk: dieting, early onset of menarche, being overweight or obese, and suffering from constipation. School socio-economic status, physical activity, and smoking status were not contributory. These results help identify possible interventions to prevent the development of disordered eating behaviors.

Cross-ethnic differences in eating disorder symptoms and related distress.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated ethnic differences in the frequency of eating disorder symptoms and related distress in a U.S. college-based eating disorders screening program. METHOD: Responses to self-report questions and counselors' assessment were analyzed in an ethnically diverse sample (n = 5,435). RESULTS: The frequency of binge-eating, restrictive eating, vomiting, and amenorrhea did not differ significantly across ethnic groups. However, significant between-group differences were found with respect to modes of purging. Binge correlates (e.g., eating until uncomfortably full) were significantly more frequent among Caucasian than African American participants (p < .001). Binge eating was the best predictor of distress among Caucasians, African Americans, and Latinos, whereas vomiting was the best predictor of distress among Asians. Asian participants who used laxatives were significantly less likely to receive a recommendation for further evaluation than non-Asian participants. CONCLUSION: Ethnic diversity in symp tom prevalence and related distress was identified. Clinician recognition of this potential diversity may enhance culturally competent care for eating disorders.

Genetics in eating disorders: extending the boundaries of research / Genética em transtornos alimentares: ampliando os horizontes de pesquisa

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent literature relevant to genetic research in eating disorders and to discuss unique issues which are crucial for the development of a genetic research project in eating disorders in Brazil. METHOD: A computer literature review was conducted in the Medline database between 1984 and may 2005 with the search terms "eating disorders", "anorexia nervosa", "bulimia nervosa", "binge eating disorder", "family", "twin" and "molecular genetic" studies. RESULTS: Current research findings suggest a substantial influence of genetic factors on the liability to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Genetic research with admixed populations should take into consideration sample size, density of genotyping and population stratification. Through admixture mapping it is possible to study the genetic structure of admixed human populations to localize genes that underlie ethnic variation in diseases or traits of interest. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a major collaborative genetics initiative of eating disorders in Brazil and South America would represent a realistic possibility of studying the genetics of eating disorders in the context of inter ethnic groups, and also integrate a new perspective on the biological etiology of eating disorders.

OBJETIVO: Revisar a literatura atual concernente à pesquisa genética em transtornos do comportamento alimentar e discutir questões relevantes ao desenvolvimento de um projeto de pesquisa genética nessa área no Brasil. MÉTODO: A revisão realizada utilizou a base de dados Medline, no período de 1984 a maio de 2005, com os seguintes termos de busca: "anorexia nervosa", "bulimia nervosa", "eating disorders", "binge eating disorder", "family studies", "twin studies", "molecular genetics studies". RESULTADOS: Os dados atuais apontam para uma contribuição relevante dos fatores genéticos na suscetibilidade à anorexia e à bulimia nervosa. A pesquisa genética com populações miscigenadas deve levar em consideração o tamanho da amostra, a densidade de genotipagem e a estratificação populacional. Através de "admixture mapping" é possível estimar a estrutura genética destas populações e localizar genes relacionados à variação étnica de doenças ou traços de interesse. CONCLUSÕES: O desenvolvimento de uma grande iniciativa de colaboração em genética de transtornos alimentares no Brasil e na América Latina viabilizará estudar os fatores genéticos em transtornos do comportamento alimentar no contexto de grupos inter-étnicos, e integrar uma nova perspectiva biológica à etiologia destes distúrbios.

New contributions to the prevalence of eating disorders in Spanish adolescents: detection of false negatives.

BACKGROUND: Although the epidemiology of Eating Disorders (ED) has been highly developed in Spain, further research considering false negatives and also the prevalence of these disorders in males are needed. They were the aims of the present study. METHODS: One thousand and seventy six adolescents (500 males and 576 females) participated in a two-stage survey. At the age of 13, apart from exploring numerous clinical and psychosocial variables, they were assessed by means of self-administered screening instruments, the eating attitude test (EAT), bulimic investigatory test Edinburgh (BITE), and body shape questionnaire (BSQ). The subjects were interviewed again 2 years later. Afterwards, 159 probable cases and 150 controls were interviewed by means of the structured interview SCAN. RESULTS: Prevalence of ED in adolescents was 3.71% (95% CI 2.58-4.83; 6.4% of females, 0.6% of males): anorexia nervosa 0.1%, bulimia nervosa 0.75%, eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) = 2.88%. The rate of false negative was 2.6% of the control group and most of them were EDNOS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ED obtained in our study, higher than others found in previous Spanish research, and a relatively high percentage of false negatives both indicate that up to now the prevalence of ED in Spanish adolescents could be underestimated.

Screening Chinese patients with eating disorders using the Eating Attitudes Test in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Chinese Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) in screening patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) in Hong Kong. METHOD: A consecutive series of Chinese patients with BN (N = 67) and typical (fat phobic; N = 65) and atypical (nonfat phobic; N = 44) AN underwent clinical assessment and completed the EAT-26. Results were compared with those of Chinese female undergraduates (N = 646). RESULTS: The mean EAT scores for bulimic and typical AN patients were significantly higher than those of undergraduates, but the scores of atypical AN patients were anomalously low. The dieting and bulimia factor, scores and body mass indices entered the classification tree. When compared with using the conventional EAT-26 cutoff, the misclassification rate for typical AN, atypical AN, and BN changed from 41.4% to 52.3%, 88.6% to 43.2%, and 23.9% to 29.9%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Using the EAT-26 in the conventional manner would lead to an underestimate of atypical AN in community surveys. Complementary use of a classification tree improved the prediction of atypical AN, but the EAT-26 remains a suboptimal screening instrument for the community epidemiological study of AN.

Screening for abnormal eating attitudes in a population of Egyptian secondary school girls.

Recent research indicates that identification with the western ideal of slimness can be followed by heightened weight consciousness and development of eating disorders in cultures thought to be relatively immune from developing such disorders. In this study, which is based on an earlier one by the same author, a population of secondary school girls in Cairo, Egypt (n = 351) was screened for abnormal eating attitudes using a translated version of the Eating Attitude Test Questionnaire. Of the girls screened, 11.4% scored positively on the questionnaire and were subsequently interviewed. Three cases clearly fulfilled Russell's criteria for a diagnosis of the full syndrome of bulimia nervosa (1.2%). This is broadly in keeping with rates in studies in the United Kingdom. Twelve pupils (3.4%) showed sufficient concern over their weight to qualify for diagnosis as a partial syndrome of bulimia nervosa. The results confirmed the initial impression that disorders of eating are emerging in cultures that did not produce such morbidity in the past, with more or less the same prevalence as in the United Kingdom. The study concludes that no society is truly immune to the development of such disorders, because of the globalisation of culture by virtue of the media.