The prevalence of disordered eating behaviours and attitudes in adolescent girls

The prevalence of disordered eating behaviours and the nature of body size estimation was examined in adolescent girls in Christchurch. Differences in these behaviours between single-sex and co-ed schools were also examined. Data were collected from 363 adolescent girls from three co-ed and two single-sex secondary schools. Each subject completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Figure Rating Scale. The results revealed a high prevalence of dieting (54%), binging (38%) and purging (up to 12%) in adolescent girls. The majority of the students (71%) desired to be a smaller size than they perceived themselves to be. There were no differences between single-sex and coed schools on the core disordered eating behaviours. This study showed that there are high rates of disordered eating behaviours among adolescent girls and that high body mass index and low socioeconomic status were associated with greater eating disordered attitudes. The findings illustrate the need for further research on prevention of unhealthy eating behaviours and body image concerns that have become normative among young women.