Influência do nível socioeconômico sobre comportamentos de risco para transtornos alimentares em adolescentes

Abstract

Objective: To investigate eating disorders (ED) risk behaviors at adolescents from different socioeconomic status. Method: 183 girls 15-18 years old from two schools (public and private) were evaluated about parent's education and income, nutritional status, ED risk behavior (Eating Attitudes Test - EAT-26), sociocultural attitudes toward appearance (SATAQ-3), corporal perception (silhouettes scale) and dieting. Results: Mean score of EAT-26, as well as percentage of risky girls were similar at both schools (p>0.05). At SATAQ-3 score, it was noticed a higher value at private school compared to public one (p<0.05). Girls that overestimate weight were similar at both schools (p>0.05), and girls who were overweight/obese had a higher score at EAT-26. Half of the girls from both schools have already diet, and dieting frequency was associated with a higher score at EAT-26. Conclusions: Risky behaviors were found at most of the studied population, however these were not associated with socioeconomic status.