Bulimia and associated risk factors in school adolescents of 14 - 18 years of Barranquilla (Colombia)

Abstract

Objective: To establish the prevalence of bulimia risk and associated risk factors in school adolescents of 14-18 years of Barranquilla. Materials and methods: cross-sectional study, from a representative sample of school four educational establishments Barranquilla. 149 healthy subjects 14-18 years. Instrument was applied to determine body image and bulimia (Body Shape Questionarie), the Bulimia Test of Edinburgh, Rosemberg and DASS21 test, BMIwas estimated and used a questionnaire to personal determinants. Results:The prevalence of risk of bulimia was 44,3%. The profile identifies women preferentially to 51,3%, one in four overweight and of these, 53% had 16 years or more. The relevant characteristics: 18,2% used diuretics and laxatives to lose weight, 40,9% had financial problems, 56% reported anxiety, 53% depression and 53% dissatisfaction with body image. Trend was observed association with: overweight, often skip meals, eat three meals and snacks, eating three meals, using diuretics or laxatives for weight loss, anxiety, depression, stress and body dissatisfaction disparity ratios were significant and chi-square probability of less than 0.05. Conclusion:The risk of bulimia was presented preferentially in the group ≥ 16 years, in women and in the middle tier. Statistical associations were observed between overweight often skip meals, eat three meals and snacks, eating three meals, using diuretics or laxatives for weight loss, anxiety, depression, stress and body dissatisfaction.