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Structure of disordered eating in a twin community sample
T Wade1, M Tiggemann, A C Heath
1School of Psychology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|January 1, 1996
Summary
This study identified five distinct groups of eating problems in Australian women, including those with anorexia, binge eating, and extreme weight control methods. Future research should focus on purging behaviors for a comprehensive understanding.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
- Twin Studies
Background:
- Eating disorders are a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the diverse manifestations of eating problems is crucial for effective intervention.
- Twin studies offer unique insights into the genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To categorize and describe the spectrum of eating problems in a large Australian female twin population.
- To identify distinct behavioral patterns associated with disordered eating.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive survey assessed weight/shape concerns, weight control methods, and disordered eating in 3,869 female twins.
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to model and validate eating behaviors.
Main Results:
- Five primary groups of eating problems were identified: dissatisfaction with weight/shape (overweight), anorexic behaviors (underweight), binge eating, extreme weight control (vomiting, laxatives, starvation), and use of diet pills.
- Confirmatory factor analysis supported the model's fit and generalizability across first-born and second-born twins.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the heterogeneity of eating problems in women.
- Future research should incorporate specific assessments of purging behaviors to refine community-level descriptions of eating disorders.