Knowledge and practice of eating disorders among a group of adolescent dental patients

The objectives are to ascertain how much is known about the eating disorders of bulimia and anorexia nervosa in a group of female adolescents, to determine if they had practiced behaviors consistent with these eating disorders, and to determine if there was a disconnect with actual and perceived healthy weight status.

126 research subjects completed a survey instrument. Embedded in the eighteen question survey were the five "SCOFF" questions, to determine if an eating disorder may exist. The BMI percentile was obtained for all participants.

18.3% of the research sample may have an eating disorder as predicted by the SCOFF questions. Of those with a suspected eating disorder, only 38% could correctly identify the best description of bulimia nervosa and 50% for anorexia nervosa. The BMI percentiles were higher in the group suspected of having an eating disorder

Young adolescent females are at risk for eating disorders. Educational interventions should be directed at this young age group. If the at-risk individuals knew more about the consequences of these disorders, they may be less likely to practice the behaviors.