Eating patterns of adolescent girls with Subclintcal eating disorders.

Abstract

Problem dietary patterns in adolescent girls could lead to poor nutrient intake and subsequent adverse health effects. Little is known about actual food intake patterns of those with subclinical eating disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships between food intake patterns of adolescent girls and indicators of problem eating behaviors. Nine hundred eighty adolescent girls (X age= 14.1 ± 3.8yrs) completed a short version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26, Garner and Garfinkel, 1980). Scores were classified as High EAT (n=261), indicating problem eating behavior if ⩾ 65 percentile, or Low EAT (n=283) if ⩽ 35 percentile. Self recorded food intake for one day was coded based on frequency of intake of foods. A principal components analysis using a varimax rotation was performed to identify food patterns. Six components were retained, accounting for 29.4% of the variance of the original correlation matrix. They were described as Factor 1 - Meat/ potato (Traditional dinner); Factor 2 -Chicken/fish vegetable meal (Healthy dinner); Factor 3- Sandwich/soft drink/dessert (Lunch); Factor 4 - Diet soda/ snacks; Factor 5 - Pnut butter/jelly/ice cream; Factor 6 Breakfast Foods. Food intake patterns between High EAT (H) and Low EAT (L) were compared using t-tests. After Bonferoni adjustment, groups differed significantly on Factor 2 (X±SD, L vs. H − 3.1±2.4 vs. 1.9±1.9, p< 001); Factor 3 (x±SD. L vs. H −1.6± 1.7 vs.1.1± 1.6, p<001), Factor 4 (x±SD. L vs. H − 1.4± 1.6 vs. 1.8 ± 2.1, p<005). High EAT reported eating dinners and lunches less frequently, and included fewer food items than Low EAT.CONCLUSION: Those with problem eating behaviors tend to have a pattern of snacking vs. eating a more typical sandwich lunch and “healthy” dinner as seen in those without problem eating. They include fewer items at meals and snacks, and eat less frequently.