Femenidad, masculinidad, androginidad y trastornos del hábito del comer / Gender differences in attitudes towards eating behaviors

Background: There are marked gender differences in the attitudes towards eating behaviors. Aim: To compare gender identity traits among females with eating disorders and subjects of both sexes without eating disorders. Material and Methods: An structured clinical interview based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) and the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) were administered to 119 female patients that fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa and/or eating disorders not otherwise specified (FCT group), 89 males (MST group) and 63 females (FST group) without eating disorders. Results: The FCT group ranked significantly higher than the FST group on the EAT-40 and EDI and all its items (p <0.001). There were no significant differences between FST and MST groups. The FST group ranked significantly higher than the MST group on the Drive for thinness (p= 0.003) and Body dissatisfaction (p= 0.009). The MST group scored significantly higher than the FST group on Perfectionism (p= 0.020) and Interpersonal distrust (p= 0.008). The FCT group was significantly identified with Feminine and Masculine categories and the FST group with Androgynous and Undifferentiated categories on the BSRI (p= 0.001). Comparatively, the MST group was significantly identified with Masculine category and the FST group with Feminine category on the IBRS (p= <0.001). All groups rejected and approved feminine, masculine and neutral qualities. The higher correlations were observed among feminine quality on the BSRI with the total score on the EAT-40 (r=0.46). Drive for thinness (r=0.51) and Body dissatisfaction (r=0.41). Discussion: Femininity emerged as the main trait of gender identity in patients with eating disorders, in contrast to androgyny showed by male and female subjects without eating disorders. Females without eating disorders were more motivated to achieve thinness and displayed more body dissatisfaction than males

Identidad de género y transtornos de la conducta alimentaria / Gender identity and eating disorders

Background: A possible role of the feminine gender role in the genesis of eating disorders is possible, since most patients with these disorders are women. Aim: To compare some traits of gender identity between females with eating disorders and a control group. Material and methods: An structured clinical interview based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders and the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) were administered to 63 patients that fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (ED group) and 63 comparison subjects (C group). Results: Forty three percent of patients in contrast with 23.8 percent of controls were classified within the feminine category. Likewise 19 percent of patients and 31.7 percent of controls were qualified as Androgynous; 27 percent of patients and 43 percent of controls were qualified as Undifferentiated. There were significant differences between patients and controls in 22 items of the BSRI (p <0.01). Both groups rejected and were identified with some feminine, masculine and neutral qualities. Discussion: Femininity emerged as the main trait of gender identity in patients suffering of eating disorders. In contrast, Androgyny showed by the control group could result in a better adaptability and flexibility to face difficult life circumstances