Reprinted from Eating Disorders Review
January/February 2003 Volume 13, Number 1
©2002 Gürze Books
Eating Disorders Awareness Week will be observed throughout America from February 24 to March 3. The National Eating Disorders Screening Program (NEDSP) also starts during that week.
Last year, for the first time, more than 35,000 high school students, from 152 high schools in 34 states filled out a self-report eating disorders survey and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and answered questions about binge eating, over-exercising to control weight, and any past treatment for an eating disorder. Those found to be at risk were then advised to contact a physician for further testing and evaluation.
Dr. S. Bryn Austin and colleagues from Children’s Hospital, Boston, reported that among a subgroup of 4,639 students, 30% of the girls (826) and 16% (301) of the boys reported disordered eating behaviors that required further evaluation.
Among normal-weight and overweight girls, 14% and 18%, respectively, reported binge eating once or more each week, and 11% and 14%, respectively, reported that they had vomited to control their weight at least once in the past 3 months. When normal-weight and overweight boys were compared, 2% and 5%, respectively, reported vomiting to control their weight.
