Prevalence and contributing factors of eating disorder behaviors in active duty navy men

Abstract

Eating disorders have been widely studied among civilian women and among select groups of men (athletes and wrestiers). Gross disturbances in eating behaviors characterize the conditions of anorexia nervosa (AN), currently seen among 1 to 2% of non-active duty women. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is prevalent among 2% of the female population, and both disorders have a female-to-male ratio of 10:1. Another category of eating disorders known as not otherwise specified (NOS) occurs in between 3 and 35% of the population according to the reported literature. This study examined the prevalence of AN, BN, and NOS among a large sample of active duty Navy men. Multiple military, professional, and behavioral variables were analyzed to promote an increased understanding and awareness of these disorders among active duty men. This was a descriptive, correlational study among 4,800 Navy men targeted from hospitals, clinics, and ships at sea. Anonymous surveys were returned by 28% of prospective subjects (N = 1,425). The study revealed a prevalence of 2.5% for AN, 6.8% for BN, and 40.8% for NOS among active duty Navy men. AN and BN existed without difference among all active duty men regardless of rank/rate, job assignment, or age. Use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, vomiting, and fasting for standards increased during the body measurement and fitness periods, but year-round use of these methods existed at disturbing rates. Multiple logistic regression analysis predicted several factors that might predict the manifestation of eating disorders in this population of active duty members.