Knowledge and practice of eating disorders among a group of adolescent dental patients

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives are to ascertain how much is known about the eating disorders of bulimia and anorexia nervosa in a group of female adolescents, to determine if they had practiced behaviors consistent with these eating disorders, and to determine if there was a disconnect with actual and perceived healthy weight status. Study Design: 126 research subjects completed a survey instrument. Embedded in the eighteen question survey were the five "SCOFF" questions, to determine if an eating disorder may exist. The BMI percentile was obtained for all participants. Results: 18.3% of the research sample may have an eating disorder as predicted by the SCOFF questions. Of those with a suspected eating disorder, only 38% could correctly identify the best description of bulimia nervosa and 50% for anorexia nervosa. The BMI percentiles were higher in the group suspected of having an eating disorder. Conclusions: Young adolescent females are at risk for eating disorders. Educational interventions should be directed at this young age group. If the at-risk individuals knew more about the consequences of these disorders, they may be less likely to practice the behaviors.