Eating Disorder Symptoms Among Adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

Abstract

This article presents pilot data examining the: (1) prevalence of eating disorder symptoms among adults with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and (2) clinical and demographic predictors of eating disorder symptoms. Participants were 149 adults with SPMI who were receiving community mental health services. The Eating Attitudes Test, Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, purging questions, and Body Mass Index were used to assess eating disorder symptoms. Forty percent of participants indicated eating disorder symptoms. Predictors of eating disorder symptoms included female gender and greater clinical severity. The findings suggest the need for clinical attention to eating disorders for this population.