Abstract
BackgroundMany previous studies have investigated the risk factors associated with eating disorders (EDs) from the perspective of emotion regulation (ER). However, limited research has investigated interactions between co-existing risk factors for EDs, especially in China where research in EDs is underrepresented.MethodsThis study examined core risk factors related to maladaptive eating behaviors and ER, and how their interactions affect the detection of EDs. Using machine learning, a decision tree model was constructed on a data set of 830 non-clinical Chinese young women with an average age of 18.91 years (SD = 0.95). The total data set was split into training and testing data sets with a ratio of 70 to 30%.ResultsBody image inflexibility was identified as the major classifier for women at high risk of EDs. Furthermore, interactions between body image inflexibility, psychological distress, and body dissatisfaction were important in detecting women at high risk of EDs. Overall, the model classifying women at high-risk for EDs had a sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.85 when applied to the testing data set.ConclusionsBody image inflexibility, psychological distress, and body dissatisfaction were identified as the major classifiers for young women in China at high risk of EDs. Researchers and practitioners may consider these findings in the screening, prevention, and treatment of EDs among young women in China.
Highlights
Many previous studies have investigated the risk factors associated with eating disorders (EDs) from the perspective of emotion regulation (ER)
To address this knowledge gap, the present study investigated a broad range of risk factors from the perspective of emotion regulation and used a decision tree classification method to screen for EDs among young women in China
Results showed that body image inflexibility, psychological distress, and body dissatisfaction were the primary classifiers for Chinese women at high risk of EDs
Summary
Many previous studies have investigated the risk factors associated with eating disorders (EDs) from the perspective of emotion regulation (ER). Eating disorders (EDs), mental illnesses that involve disturbances in body image and eating behaviors, are prevalent globally and represent a threat to public health [1, 2]. Though research on EDs in Asian countries did not begin until the 1990s, it has since become a recognized form of psychopathology among young Asian females [6] with prevalence rising over time, especially in China [7, 8]. A recent national study showed that the prevalence of EDs is 7.04% in females aged 12–50 years in China, which is comparable to other global regions [9]. Given China’s large population base, more attention should be paid to its rate of EDs, especially in those individuals who are known to be at high risk
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