Eating attitudes, behaviors, and disorders in female juvenile delinquents

Forty-one female juvenile delinquents completed a self-report questionnaire designed to assess their eating attitudes and behaviors. Responses were analyzed using DSM-III-R criteria to determine the presence of clinically significant eating disorders. Aberrant eating behaviors were very common, and 22% of respondents had probable eating disorders. Significant eating problems may exist in this delinquent population.