Eating disorders, weight perception, and dieting in adolescence
Isomaa, Rasmus (2011-02-04)
Isomaa, Rasmus
Åbo Akademi - Åbo Akademi University
04.02.2011
Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-12-2522-2
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-12-2522-2
Tiivistelmä
Background: Eating disorders are serious psychiatric disorders, which usually have
their onset in adolescence. Body dissatisfaction and dieting, both common among
adolescents, are recognised risk factors for eating disorders. The aim of the present
study was to assess the prevalence of eating disorders in the general adolescent
population, assess the risk of developing eating disorders in subgroups of dieters, and
analyse longitudinal concomitants of incorrect weight perception.
Method: A prospective follow-up study on 595 adolescents, aged 15 at baseline, was
conducted in western Finland. The study comprised questionnaires directed at the
whole study population and subsequent personal interviews with adolescents found
to be screen-positive for eating disorders, at both baseline and three-year follow-up.
Results: The lifetime prevalence rates for 18 year old females were 2.6 % for
anorexia nervosa, 0.4 for bulimia nervosa, and 9.0 % for eating disorder not
otherwise specified (EDNOS). No prevalent case of DSM-IV eating disorders was
found among the male participants. Eating disorders, as well as depressive
symptoms, social anxiety, and low self-esteem, was more prevalent among females
who perceived themselves as being overweight, despite being normal or
underweight, when compared to females with a correct weight perception. An
incorrect weight perception was associated in males with social anxiety. Female
adolescents dieting due to psychological distress, rather than vanity or overweight,
had a fifteen-fold risk of developing an eating disorder.
Conclusions: Eating disorders are common among female adolescents, and
adolescents choosing to diet due to psychological distress show a markedly increased
risk of developing an eating disorder. Promotion of general well-being as well as the
prevention of body dissatisfaction and misdirected dieting, accompanied by early
detection and proper treatment of eating disorders, is needed to reduce the incidence
of and facilitate recovery in adolescents suffering from eating disorders.
their onset in adolescence. Body dissatisfaction and dieting, both common among
adolescents, are recognised risk factors for eating disorders. The aim of the present
study was to assess the prevalence of eating disorders in the general adolescent
population, assess the risk of developing eating disorders in subgroups of dieters, and
analyse longitudinal concomitants of incorrect weight perception.
Method: A prospective follow-up study on 595 adolescents, aged 15 at baseline, was
conducted in western Finland. The study comprised questionnaires directed at the
whole study population and subsequent personal interviews with adolescents found
to be screen-positive for eating disorders, at both baseline and three-year follow-up.
Results: The lifetime prevalence rates for 18 year old females were 2.6 % for
anorexia nervosa, 0.4 for bulimia nervosa, and 9.0 % for eating disorder not
otherwise specified (EDNOS). No prevalent case of DSM-IV eating disorders was
found among the male participants. Eating disorders, as well as depressive
symptoms, social anxiety, and low self-esteem, was more prevalent among females
who perceived themselves as being overweight, despite being normal or
underweight, when compared to females with a correct weight perception. An
incorrect weight perception was associated in males with social anxiety. Female
adolescents dieting due to psychological distress, rather than vanity or overweight,
had a fifteen-fold risk of developing an eating disorder.
Conclusions: Eating disorders are common among female adolescents, and
adolescents choosing to diet due to psychological distress show a markedly increased
risk of developing an eating disorder. Promotion of general well-being as well as the
prevention of body dissatisfaction and misdirected dieting, accompanied by early
detection and proper treatment of eating disorders, is needed to reduce the incidence
of and facilitate recovery in adolescents suffering from eating disorders.
Kokoelmat
- 515 Psykologia [49]