Risk for binge eating in a nonclinical Swedish adolescent sample: a repeated measure study

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, the population ‘at risk’ for binge eating in late adolescents was estimated. The stability over time was studied by repeated measures. The EDI and a number of sociodemographic questions were administered to students in the last grade of secondary school in five Swedish cities in 1993 (n = 3855) and 1998 (n = 2925). Of the girls 3–4 per cent and 1–2 per cent of boys were found to be ‘at risk’ for binge eating with no change over time. An association was found between this risk and certain sociodemographic factors (living alone, moving away from home early, and experience of bullying). No differences were found between cities of different size. A considerable proportion of adolescents were thus found to exhibit attitudes and behaviour connected with binge eating. They may be considered as being ‘at risk’ for developing a clinical bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. This proportion seems to be fairly stable over time. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.