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June 11, 2008
Research suggests one in 10 girls may engage in binge-eating, purging
Medscape (6/6, Anderson) reported that "[m]ore than 10 percent of adolescent girls, and three percent of boys, binge-eat or purge at least once a week," according to a study published in the June issue of the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
Alison E. Field, Sc.D., of Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass., and colleagues, "analyzed data from 6,916 girls and 5,618 boys" aged nine to 15, "who were part of the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS)." The researchers found that "more girls started to purge at least weekly (5.3 percent) than started to binge-eat (4.3 percent)." But, "among boys, binge-eating, at 2.3 percent, was more common than purging, at 0.8 percent."
Notably, "very few youngsters in the study engaged in both disordered-eating behaviors." In addition, the researchers "also investigated risk factors for developing these behaviors." They "found that among girls, frequent dieting, especially in those younger than 14 years, was a predictor of starting to purge or binge-eat, as was concern about weight." PsychCentral (6/6, Nauert) also covered the story.
Related Links:
- (Free registration required) " One in 10 Girls Engages in Frequent Binge Eating or Purging ," Pauline Anderson, Medscape Medical News, June 6, 2008.
- "Risk of Eating Disorders Varies By Gender," Rick Nauert, Ph.D., PsychCentral, June 6, 2008.
Posted by admin at June 11, 2008 10:59 AM