[Prevalence of eating disorders in adolescents from Gran Canaria]

To assess the prevalence of eating disorders in Spanish students between 12 and 20 years old using standardized methods.

1342 students were randomly selected from educational centers on Gran Canaria, Spain. We used a two phase cross sectional design which involved the screening (EAT-40 questionnaire at a cutoff score of 20) and a semi-structured interview (EDE). Sociodemographic variables and weight status were also evaluated.

In 2013 we studied participants of 15 educational centers on Gran Canaria. In the first phase we found a prevalence of risk of 27.42% (33% of females, 20.6% of males). In the second phase, 538 participants agreed to proceed with clinical evaluation (285 at risk, high scorers; 253 selected sample not at risk). The overall prevalence of eating disorder was 4.11% (5.46% of females, 2.55% of males). Using DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria, the prevalence of anorexia nervosa was 0.19%, of bulimia nervosa 0.57% and of eating disorder not otherwise specified 3.34%.

The prevalence of eating disorders diagnosis in Gran Canaria is similar than in the rest of Spain. However, the prevalence of risk of eating disorders in Gran Canaria is especially high considering data of other studies made in Spain and other countries.