1
|
Klimek-Johnson P, Yalch MM, Maguen S. Latent Profiles of Disordered Eating Among Veterans: Associations With Mental Health Concerns. Womens Health Issues 2024; 34:437-448. [PMID: 38627139 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varying patterns in eating disorder (ED) classification are evident and may impact ED treatment and prevention. However, investigations of patterns of heterogeneity in ED presentations have been limited to civilian samples, despite the high prevalence of EDs in military personnel and veterans. The present study aimed to explore ED-related symptom patterns, including emotional overeating, in women veterans. METHODS Participants were 407 women veterans using health care services at a large Veterans Affairs health care system who completed mental health measures via surveys. Latent profile analyses were used to explore distinct ED symptom patterns (binge eating, purging, heavy exercise, positive and negative emotional overeating, dietary restraint, and shape/weight concerns). Subsequent auxiliary models explored associations with mental health concerns (depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, alcohol misuse, substance misuse), adjusting for age, race and ethnicity, and service branch. RESULTS A four-class solution demonstrated the best model fit, characterized as follows: 1) Low ED Concerns, 2) Moderate Dietary Restraint/Negative Emotional Eating, 3) High Binge/Emotional Eating, and 4) High ED Concerns. Although all profiles had moderate or higher levels of negative emotional overeating, the High Binge/Emotional Eating and High ED Concerns profiles were distinct in levels of dietary restraint and had the highest probabilities of positive emotional overeating. The High ED Concerns profile also had the most severe mental health concerns relative to the other profiles. CONCLUSIONS The identification of unique ED symptom patterns in women veterans can inform prevention and intervention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Klimek-Johnson
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Mental Health Service, San Francisco, California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | | | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Mental Health Service, San Francisco, California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Herb Neff KM, Buta E, Fenn LM, Ramsey CN, Snow JL, Haskell SG, Masheb RM. Distinguishing probable atypical anorexia nervosa from weight loss alone in a national sample of U.S. Military Veterans: Disentangling the roles of weight suppression and cognitive concerns. Int J Eat Disord 2024; 57:827-838. [PMID: 38129986 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Veterans are at high risk for eating disorders (EDs), and specifically for atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN). The current study aimed to better understand this under-studied disorder and how it differs from weight loss without ED cognitive features. METHOD Secondary analyses were conducted with data from a national study of Veterans (N = 882, 49.4% women). Participants were categorized into four mutually exclusive groups using the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale 5: probable atypical AN, a cognitive concerns group (Cog Only), a weight suppressed group (WS Only), and a no ED control group. Adjusted regression models were used to compare groups on measures of eating pathology and mental health. Three weight suppression thresholds (5%, 10%, and 15%) for probable atypical AN were also tested. RESULTS The sample was comprised of 12% probable atypical AN, 23.6% Cog Only, 16.3% WS Only, and 48.1% Control. The probable atypical AN group was most like the Cog Only group except for higher levels of dietary restraint. Atypical AN fared worse and was least like the Control group followed by the WS Only group. All weight suppression thresholds significantly predicted dietary restraint, with 5% being the best predictor. DISCUSSION Results found that probable atypical AN is a distinct clinical entity and that the exact weight suppression threshold associated with atypical AN is less important than having any weight suppression. Findings highlight the clinical significance of atypical AN and the importance of gaining a better understanding of how to address this clinical entity. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Atypical anorexia nervosa is a relatively underexamined but highly prevalent eating disorder in the Veteran population. Results show that ED cognitive features are more closely linked to clinically significant eating pathology and poor mental health than weight suppression alone suggesting that negative thinking about weight gain and appearance, regardless of the presence or severity of weight loss, may signal the need for specialized intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugenia Buta
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lindsay M Fenn
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Christine N Ramsey
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer L Snow
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sally G Haskell
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Robin M Masheb
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Siegel SE, Ranney RM, Masheb RM, Huggins J, Maguen S. Associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and eating disorder symptoms among women veterans. Eat Behav 2024; 52:101851. [PMID: 38324959 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2024.101851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Recent research suggests high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorder (ED) comorbidity in women veterans. This study aims to expand the literature by examining associations between PTSD and ED diagnoses and symptoms in this population. We assessed probable PTSD diagnosis and symptom clusters (intrusion, avoidance, arousal and reactivity, and negative alterations in cognition and mood [NACM]), as well as probable Binge Eating Disorder (BED) diagnosis and ED subscales (dietary restraint, shape/weight overvaluation, and body dissatisfaction) in a sample of women veterans (N = 371). We investigated significance at the standard p < .05, and the Bonferroni-corrected p < .005 cut-off to adjust for experiment-wise error. Overall, we found that probable PTSD was associated with provisional BED (p < .001) using logistic regression at both cut-offs. Probable PTSD was associated with all ED subscales (all p's < 0.003) using linear regression models also at both cut-offs. Provisional BED was associated with NACM at p < .05 (p = .046), though it did not meet significance at our conservative cut-off. NACM was also associated with shape/weight overvaluation (p = .02) and a global ED score (p = .01) at p < .05, but not at our conservative cut-off; arousal was associated with shape/weight overvaluation (p = .04) and the global ED score (p = .02) at p < .05, but not at our conservative cut-off. Our findings may further guide how ED-related topics can be integrated in PTSD treatment for women veterans with comorbid PTSD and ED.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Siegel
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California - San Francisco, 675 18(th) Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
| | - Rachel M Ranney
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California - San Francisco, 675 18(th) Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Robin M Masheb
- VA Connecticut Health System West Haven Campus, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joy Huggins
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California - San Francisco, 675 18(th) Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California - San Francisco, 675 18(th) Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Valladares-Garrido MJ, León-Figueroa DA, Picón-Reátegui CK, García-Vicente A, Valladares-Garrido D, Failoc-Rojas VE, Pereira-Victorio CJ. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Eating Disorders in Military First Line of Defense against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study during the Second Epidemic Wave in Peru. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2848. [PMID: 36833544 PMCID: PMC9957196 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have evaluated eating disorders in military personnel engaged in defense activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with eating disorders in military personnel from Lambayeque, Peru. A secondary data analysis was performed among 510 military personnel during the second epidemic wave of COVID-19 in Peru. We used the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) to assess eating disorders. We explored associations with insomnia, food insecurity, physical activity, resilience, fear to COVID-19, burnout syndrome, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and selected sociodemographic variables. Eating disorders were experienced by 10.2% of participants. A higher prevalence of eating disorders was associated with having 7 to 12 months (PR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.24-7.11) and 19 months or more (PR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.11-6.17) working in the first line of defense against COVID-19, fear of COVID-19 (PR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.26-3.85), burnout syndrome (PR: 3.73; 95% CI: 1.90-7.33) and post-traumatic stress (PR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.13-7.83). A low prevalence of eating disorders was found in the military personnel. However, prevention of this problem should be focused on at-risk groups that experience mental health burdens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario J. Valladares-Garrido
- South American Center for Education and Research in Public Health, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru
- Oficina de Epidemiología, Hospital Regional Lambayeque, Chiclayo 14012, Peru
| | - Darwin A. León-Figueroa
- Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15013, Peru
- School of Medicine, Universidad de San Martín de Porres, Chiclayo 14012, Peru
| | | | - Abigaíl García-Vicente
- School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura 20002, Peru
- Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Piura (SOCIEMUNP), Piura 20002, Peru
| | - Danai Valladares-Garrido
- School of Medicine, Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Piura 20001, Peru
- Unidad de Epidemiología y Salud Ambiental, Hospital de Apoyo II Santa Rosa, Piura 20008, Peru
| | - Virgilio E. Failoc-Rojas
- Research Unit for Generation and Synthesis Evidence in Health, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 15024, Peru
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gaviria D, Ammerman A. Eating disorders and disordered eating in servicemen and women: A narrative review. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:316-373. [PMID: 35938917 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Eating disorders (EDs) are mental illnesses impacting all aspects of an individual's life. Recent research has examined EDs and disordered-eating behaviors in the military, a population subject to body composition standards, fitness requirements, and extreme stress. The purpose of this narrative review was to investigate ED and disordered-eating prevalence and their risk factors in ROTC (reserve officers' training corps), active-duty, and veteran servicemembers. The secondary purpose was to provide policy recommendations to reduce the burden of these conditions in the military. METHODS PubMed and PsycINFO were reviewed for relevant articles. All studies including data on EDs or disordered eating in U.S. active-duty, ROTC, or veteran populations were considered. RESULTS Results revealed a high burden of EDs and disordered eating with bulimic- and binge-type behaviors being the most common. Servicemembers exposed to trauma, including military sexual assault, and those with comorbidities like PTSD showed a higher prevalence. Body composition and fitness testing were also associated with a higher risk. Qualitative studies suggest these conditions serve as coping mechanisms for aspects of military life. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of EDs and disordered eating in the military points toward the importance of identification, treatment, and prevention. Policy change is necessary to protect servicemembers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Gaviria
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alice Ammerman
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Department of Nutrition, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Scheer JR, Helminen EC, Felver JC, Coolhart D. Nonmedical Social Determinants, Syndemic Conditions, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in a Treatment-seeking Community Sample: A Latent Class Analysis. Arch Suicide Res 2022:1-20. [PMID: 35946421 PMCID: PMC9911562 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2022.2108741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Knowledge gaps remain regarding whether syndemic conditions identify treatment-seeking individuals most at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). We employed latent class analysis to: (1) model treatment-seeking individuals' syndemic conditions, (2) examine latent classes across nonmedical social determinants, and (3) assess associations between class membership and STB. METHOD Participants were 982 individuals presenting at a community mental health clinic between October 2014 and February 2020. The three-step latent class analytic approach was used. Regression analyses were employed to examine nonmedical social determinants and STB outcomes associated with class membership. RESULTS Participants were aged 18 to >72 (75.8% White; 76.7% heterosexual; 53.7% cisgender woman; 73.8% earned ≥$20,000 annually). Latent class analysis resulted in a three-class solution. Participants in Class 1 were characterized by low probabilities across syndemic conditions. Class 2 was characterized by high probabilities of anxiety and depression. Class 3 was characterized by high probabilities of eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Participants of color, sexual minority participants, cisgender women, and those experiencing financial distress were more likely to be in classes characterized by syndemic conditions. Classes characterized by syndemic conditions, relative to no syndemic conditions, were associated with greater risk of STB. CONCLUSION Findings confirm the concentrated clustering of co-occurring syndemic conditions among marginalized groups and highlight differing risks for those considering suicide or who have attempted suicide vs. those engaging in self-harm. Results underscore the need for resource allocation and multilevel interventions targeting syndemic conditions and suicidality for minority populations and those experiencing financial distress.
Collapse
|