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Identifying dieters who will develop an eating disorder: a prospective, population-based study.
Christopher G Fairburn1, Zafra Cooper, Helen A Doll
1Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK. credo@medicine.ox.ac.uk
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|December 7, 2005
Summary
Young women who diet and later develop eating disorders show distinct characteristics. A brief questionnaire can effectively identify at-risk individuals for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dieting is common among young women.
- Identifying individuals at risk for eating disorders is crucial for prevention.
- Early detection can improve health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics of dieters at high risk for developing eating disorders.
- To assess the feasibility of using a brief questionnaire for early identification.
- To inform preventative strategies in public health settings.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 2,992 dieting young women was followed for 2 years.
- Questionnaires on eating habits and attitudes were administered periodically.
- Clinical interviews confirmed eating disorder diagnoses.
Main Results:
- 104 participants developed clinical eating disorders.
- Baseline questionnaire responses differed significantly between those who developed and did not develop eating disorders.
- A 5-item questionnaire achieved 71% sensitivity and 72% specificity in prediction.
Conclusions:
- Dieters who develop eating disorders exhibit identifiable baseline features.
- A brief questionnaire can efficiently identify at-risk individuals.
- This tool can be integrated into routine health assessments for early risk identification.