Eating behaviours among young women

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Disordered eating and weight-control behaviors are increasingly prevalent among adolescent girls.
• Concerns exist regarding the long-term impact of these behaviors on young women's health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and nature of disordered eating behaviors in young women.
• To explore the relationship between societal pressures and disordered eating.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving four groups of young women aged 15-27 years.
• Included school/university students, ballet students, and patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Main Results:

• Most young women diet, lose weight, and desire to be thinner regardless of current weight.
• 20% may meet criteria for eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia) at some point.
• 7% abuse laxatives/diuretics for weight control.

Conclusions:

• Disordered eating behaviors are common and may represent a phase of normal development for many young women.
• Intensive pressure to maintain low body weight correlates with higher incidence of disordered eating.
• Treatment may not always be necessary for all cases of disordered eating.