Abstract
Objective: To estimate the late-adolescent population “at risk” for eating disorders (EDs), establish its stability over time using repeated measures, and analyse its social and demographic background factors. Method: The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and a number of related questions were administered to students in their last year of high school in five Swedish towns in 1993 (n=3855) and 1998 (n=2925). Results: It was found that 6% of girls were “at risk” for eating disorders with no increase over time. There was an association between this risk and certain socio-demographic factors (living alone, moving away from home early, excessive physical training and experiences of bullying). No differences were found between cities of different size. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of girls in late adolescence are preoccupied with weight and dieting, and may be considered “at risk” for developing a clinical eating disorder. This proportion seems to be fairly stable over time.
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Engström, I., Norring, C. Estimation of the population “at risk” for eating disorders in a non-clinical Swedish sample: A repeated measure study. Eat Weight Disord 7, 45–52 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03354429
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03354429