Bidirectional associations between disordered eating and health-related quality of life in elementary school-age youth

Abstract

Objective To examine longitudinal, bidirectional associations between disordered eating and physical/psychosocial health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a nonclinical community sample of elementary school-age youth. Methods Participants included 130 children between the ages of 7 and 10 years (M age = 8.62). Disordered eating and physical/psychosocial HRQOL were assessed using self-report measures at three time points. The potential bidirectional associations were examined using a longitudinal panel model. Results Higher disordered eating predicted lower psychosocial HRQOL during a 6-month period within the same academic year, and lower HRQOL predicted higher disordered eating during a 6-month period across academic years. Conclusion The current study found longitudinal, bidirectional associations between disordered eating and psychosocial, but not physical, HRQOL. The results provide evidence for psychosocial HRQOL as a potential predictor and consequence of disordered eating attitudes. Limitations, future directions, and implications of this research are discussed.