[Eating disorders in adolescents: clinical and epidemiological aspects].

OBJECTIVE

To compare in female adolescents clinical and epidemiological aspects of eating disorders.

METHODS

Three hundred schoolgirls, university students and young girls with weight problems who did not score within the pathological range of the Eating attitudes test (EAT-40) (group S), one hundred and thirty eight schoolgirls, university students and young girls with weight problems who scored within the pathological range of the EAT-40 (group SC) and one hundred eating disordered patients (group THC) were given the Eating disorders inventory (EDI).

RESULTS

The EAT-26 emerged as an abbreviated and trustful instrument. The scores on the EAT-40 and EDI were lower in group S, intermedial in group SC and higher in group THC. The same statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed on Interoceptive awareness. Bulimia, Ineffectiveness and Maturity fears. Diet (EAT-40-Factor I) (90%) and EDI-Drive for thinness (87%) had the highest sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The EAT-26, EAT-40 and EDI were useful to confirm an eating disorder. On one hand, the profile of the eating disordered patients and the adolescents at risk was characterized by a high Drive for thinness and Body dissatisfaction and on the other, by a low Interoceptive awareness. Diet and Drive for thinness may be helpful for screening large non-clinical groups to predict an eating disorder. Finally, the importance of the nutrition assessment and primary prevention is emphasized.