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Kramer R, Aarnio-Peterson CM, Conard LA, Lenz KR, Matthews A. Eating disorder symptoms among transgender and gender diverse youth. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 29:30-44. [PMID: 37343277 PMCID: PMC10748461 DOI: 10.1177/13591045231184917] [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] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Compared to cisgender peers, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth and adults report elevated eating disorder (ED) symptoms likely related to gender dysphoria and attempts to modify their bodies accordingly. Less is known about the impact on gender-affirming care and ED symptoms. This study aimed to expand on extant research and describe ED symptoms in TGD youth seeking gender-affirming care while exploring potential associations between gender-affirming hormone use and ED symptoms. A total of 251 TGD youth completed the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) as part of routine clinical care. ANCOVAs and negative binomial regressions examined differences in ED symptoms among transgender females (identifying as female but assigned male at birth) and transgender males (identifying as male but assigned female at birth). ED severity was not significantly different among transgender females versus transgender males, (p = .09), or associated with gender-affirming hormone use (p = .07). Transgender females receiving gender-affirming hormones reported a greater proportion of objective binge eating episodes compared to those who were not (p = .03). Over a quarter of TGD youth reported engagement in ED behaviors suggesting assessment and intervention related to ED behaviors among TGD youth is imperative since adolescence is a particularly vulnerable period for adolescents and engagement in ED behaviors could lead to full ED development and medical risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kramer
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Claire M Aarnio-Peterson
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lee Ann Conard
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Katrina R Lenz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abigail Matthews
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Velkoff EA, Brown TA, Kaye WH, Wierenga CE. Using clinical cutoff scores on the eating disorder examination-questionnaire to evaluate eating disorder symptoms during and after naturalistic intensive treatment. Eat Disord 2023:1-15. [PMID: 36935579 DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2023.2191488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Clinical cutoff scores for self-report measures provide a means of evaluating clinically significant pathology during and after treatment. A cutoff of 2.8 on the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) has been recommended to screen for eating disorders (ED). We used this cutoff to assess ED symptoms in adolescents (n = 444) and adults (n = 592) through ED treatment and follow-up. Most patients scored above 2.8 at intake (adolescents 67%, M = 3.21; adults 78%, M = 4.20) and below 2.8 at discharge (adolescents 65%, M = 1.87; adults 66%, M = 2.67), with gains often maintained through follow-up (40% of adolescents and 35% of adults at 12-month follow-up). EDE-Q scores were higher in adults than adolescents and in patients with binge/purge disorders. Results suggest a cutoff of 2.8 on the EDE-Q effectively tracks ED symptom improvement through treatment and discharge. This supports the need for the development of culture-specific and empirically developed clinical cutoffs and their widespread use to evaluate program effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Velkoff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tiffany A Brown
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Walter H Kaye
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Christina E Wierenga
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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Examining the relationship of eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in men and women using two assessments of eating pathology. Eat Behav 2023; 48:101704. [PMID: 36724674 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101704] [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] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Eating disorder (ED) pathology in men is not as well understood or studied as ED pathology in women. One potential reason for this is that most of the traditional assessments used for EDs were developed for and validated with exclusively female samples, meaning that symptoms in men are not as well represented or measured. There are consistent associations between perfectionism and ED symptoms in women, but less is known regarding how these relationships function in men. This study examined whether the relationship of perfectionism to ED symptoms varies by gender using the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Eating Pathology Symptom Inventory (EPSI). The EPSI has multiple dimensions that may better capture the presentation of ED symptoms in men. Participants were recruited from a large public university and through Amazon MechanicalTurk. Participants completed a survey battery that included the two eating measures and the self-oriented perfectionism scale from the Hewitt and Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and structural equation modeling. There were significant positive associations between self-oriented perfectionism and all dimensions measured by the EDE-Q and the EPSI. The models were invariant across gender. Implications for further research were discussed.
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Dennhag I, Henje E, Nilsson K. Parental caregiver burden and recovery of adolescent anorexia nervosa after multi-family therapy. Eat Disord 2021; 29:463-479. [PMID: 31617832 DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2019.1678980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated whether parental caregiving burden changed during adjunct multi-family therapy of adolescent anorexia nervosa and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and whether caregiver burden at baseline and changes in caregiver burden during treatment were associated with treatment outcome.Twenty-four females, 13 to 16 years old, and their parents, participated in the study. Caregiver burden was measured with the Eating Disorders Symptom Impact Scale, by mothers (n = 23) and fathers (n = 22). Treatment outcome was measured by adolescent body mass index, level of global functioning and self-rated eating disorder symptoms by the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire 4.0.All patient outcomes improved and overall caregiver burden decreased significantly during treatment. When broken down in aspects of caregiver burden the decrease in parental perceived isolation, was found to be associated with improvement of BMI and Children's Global Assessment Scale. When analyzing fathers and mothers separately, we found that maternal feelings of guilt and paternal perceived burden of dysregulated behaviors at base-line were correlated to treatment outcome. Future studies are needed to clarify the role of caregiver burden as a potential mediator of treatment results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Dennhag
- Department of Clinical Science, Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eva Henje
- Department of Clinical Science, Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Karin Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Science, Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Negative affect and eating psychopathology: the moderator effect of gender. Eat Weight Disord 2019; 24:879-885. [PMID: 30334199 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-018-0598-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examined the moderator role of gender in the relationship between negative affect and eating psychopathology as well as gender differences in these variables. METHODS A community sample of 285 students (61.8% females), aged 13-25, was recruited in middle and high schools and universities. They filled instruments that assess negative affect and eating disordered symptoms (restraint, eating concern, shape concern, weight concern, and global scale). RESULTS Females scored higher both in all subscales and the global scale of eating psychopathology. The restraint subscale was the only subscale showing non-significant differences between females and males. Controlling for BMI, moderation analyses revealed that gender moderated the relationship between negative affect and eating psychopathology, except for restraint behavior. CONCLUSIONS To deal with negative affect, females engage in more cognitive symptoms associated with disordered eating than males, but both endorse equally in eating restraint. These findings suggest that interventions focused on emotion regulation could help to reduce eating disordered symptoms among females and males. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
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Schaefer LM, Smith KE, Leonard R, Wetterneck C, Smith B, Farrell N, Riemann BC, Frederick DA, Schaumberg K, Klump KL, Anderson DA, Thompson JK. Identifying a male clinical cutoff on the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Int J Eat Disord 2018; 51:1357-1360. [PMID: 30480321 PMCID: PMC6310481 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence suggests that eating disorders (EDs) may be under-detected in males. Commonly used measures of EDs such as the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were initially developed within female samples, raising concern regarding the extent to which these instruments may be appropriate for detecting EDs in males. The current study used receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to (a) examine the accuracy of the EDE-Q global score in correctly classifying males with and without clinically significant ED pathology, and (b) establish the optimal EDE-Q global clinical cutoff for males. METHOD Participants were a clinical sample of 245 male ED patients and a control sample of 205 male undergraduates. RESULTS Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire global scores demonstrated moderate-high accuracy in predicting ED status (area under the curve = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.82-0.89). The optimal cutoff of 1.68 yielded a sensitivity of 0.77 and specificity of 0.77. DISCUSSION Overall, results provide preliminary support for the discriminant validity of EDE-Q scores among males. However, concerns remain regarding the measure's ability to comprehensively assess domains of disordered eating most relevant to males. Therefore, careful attention to the possibility for measurement bias and continued evaluation of the scale in males is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn E. Smith
- Sanford Research, Fargo, North Dakota, USA,University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | | | | | - Brad Smith
- Rogers Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | | | - Katherine Schaumberg
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychiatry, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kelly L. Klump
- Michigan State University, Department of Psychology, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Drew A. Anderson
- University at Albany-State University of New York, Department of Psychology, Albany, New York, USA
| | - J. Kevin Thompson
- University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Swenne I. Changes and predictive value for treatment outcome of the compulsive exercise test (CET) during a family-based intervention for adolescents eating disorders. BMC Psychol 2018; 6:55. [PMID: 30442197 PMCID: PMC6238357 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-018-0265-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to explore changes in the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) following a family-based intervention in adolescents with restrictive eating disorders (ED). It was hypothesized that compulsive exercise would improve with successful intervention against the ED but also that a high level of compulsive exercise at presentation would be associated with a less favourable outcome. Method The CET, the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and body mass index were available for 170 adolescents at presentation and at a one-year follow-up. Treatment was a family-based intervention and included that all exercise was stopped at start of treatment. Recovery was defined as EDE-Q score < 2.0 or absence of an ED at an interview. Results Exercise for weight control and for avoiding low mood, which are related to ED cognitions, decreased in recovered patients. Exercise for improving mood did not change in either recovered or not recovered patients. The CET subscale scores at presentation did not independently predict recovery. Conclusion Compulsive exercise is one of several ED related behaviours which needs to be targeted at the start of treatment. With successful treatment it decreases in parallel with other ED related cognitions and behaviours but without a loss of the ability to enjoy exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingemar Swenne
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, S-75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Jennings KM, Phillips KE. Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q): Norms for Clinical Sample of Female Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2017; 31:578-581. [PMID: 29179824 PMCID: PMC5728684 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Jennings
- The University of Chicago, Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 06824, United States.
| | - Kathryn E Phillips
- Fairfield University, 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06825, United States.
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Swenne I, Parling T, Salonen Ros H. Family-based intervention in adolescent restrictive eating disorders: early treatment response and low weight suppression is associated with favourable one-year outcome. BMC Psychiatry 2017; 17:333. [PMID: 28915806 PMCID: PMC5602929 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1486-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family-based treatments are first-line treatments for adolescents with restrictive eating disorders (ED) but have to be improved since outcome is poor for some. We have investigated the one-year outcome of a family-based intervention programme with defined and decisive interventions at the start of treatment. METHOD Data pertaining 201 adolescents with restrictive ED with features of anorexia nervosa but not fulfilling the weight criterion starting treatment 2010-2015, had a wide range of body mass index (BMI) and of weight loss at presentation, and completed a one-year follow-up was analysed. Recovery from the ED was defined as an Eating Disorder Examination-questionnaire (EDE-Q) score < 2.0 or as not fulfilling criteria for an ED at a clinical interview. RESULTS By EDE-Q 130 (65%) had recovered at 1 year and by clinical interview 106 (53%). According to the EDE-Q criterion recovery was independently associated with lower EDE-Q score at presentation, higher weight gain after 3 months of treatment and lower weight suppression at follow-up, weight suppression being defined as the difference between premorbid and current BMI. Not fulfilling criteria for an ED was associated with the same factors and also by higher BMI at presentation. CONCLUSION The observations that low weight and high ED cognitions confer a poor prognosis but that rapid weight gain at the start of treatment predicts a better prognosis are presently extended to adolescents with restrictive ED with a wide range of BMI at presentation. High weight suppression at follow-up is associated with a poor prognosis and indicates the importance of taking premorbid BMI into account when setting weight targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingemar Swenne
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, S-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thomas Parling
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Salonen Ros
- Department of Neuroscience, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Smith KE, Mason TB, Murray SB, Griffiths S, Leonard RC, Wetterneck CT, Smith BER, Farrell NR, Riemann BC, Lavender JM. Male clinical norms and sex differences on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:769-775. [PMID: 28436086 PMCID: PMC5741972 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence indicates that males account for a significant minority of patients with eating disorders (EDs). However, prior research has been limited by inclusion of small and predominantly non-clinical samples of males. This study aimed to (1) provide male clinical norms for widely used ED measures (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q] and Eating Disorder Inventory-3 [EDI-3]) and (2) examine sex differences in overall ED psychopathology. METHOD Participants were 386 male and 1,487 female patients with an ED diagnosis aged 16 years and older who completed the EDE-Q and EDI-3 upon admission to a residential or partial hospital ED treatment program. RESULTS Normative data were calculated for the EDE-Q (global and subscales) and the EDI-3 (drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and bulimia). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) used to examine sex, ED diagnosis, and their interaction in relation to overall ED psychopathology revealed a consistent pattern of greater severity among females for ED psychopathology. DISCUSSION This study provides clinical norms on the EDE-Q and the EDI-3 for males with clinically diagnosed EDs. It is unclear whether the greater severity observed in females reflects qualitative differences in ED presentation or true quantitative differences in ED severity. Additional research examining the underlying nature of these differences and utilizing male-specific ED measures with clinical samples is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. Smith
- Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Tyler B. Mason
- Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Stuart B. Murray
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Scott Griffiths
- Research School of Psychology, Australian National University, Australia,Centre for Applied Psychology, University of Canberra, Australia,Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jason M. Lavender
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Forsén Mantilla E, Birgegård A, Clinton D. Factor analysis of the adolescent version of the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q): results from Swedish general population and clinical samples. J Eat Disord 2017; 5:19. [PMID: 28580141 PMCID: PMC5452401 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-017-0140-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) is perhaps the single most widely used self-report measure of eating disorder (ED) symptoms, important questions remain about its validity and applicability in relation to particular groups of individuals, especially adolescents of both genders. METHODS The present study investigated the factor structure of the adolescent version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in samples of Swedish girls and boys from the general population and girls with a diagnosed eating disorder. Girls (N = 239) and boys (N = 248) aged between 13 and 15 years who were attending school, and girls (N = 570) aged between 12 and 14 years who were in treatment for an eating disorder at a specialist eating disorder clinic were assessed on the adolescent version of the EDE-Q. RESULTS The adolescent version of the EDE-Q demonstrated satisfactory levels of internal consistency. However, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) failed to support the four-factor model of the EDE-Q. Parallel analysis (PA) and subsequent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested that the adolescent version of the EDE-Q comprises one underlying factor in young adolescent girls (both clinical and general population), centred on Dissatisfaction with Shape and Weight. In boys three factors were found: Weight-related Concerns, Body Discomfort and Restraint. CONCLUSIONS The EDE-Q appears to measure different underlying aspects of eating disorder psychopathology in young teenagers compared to adults. The dimensions underlying disordered eating in young girls may become increasingly differentiated with time. There appear to be important gender-based differences in the dimensions underlying the EDE-Q in young teenagers. Therapists should be alert to beliefs that girls have about the importance of shape and weight, while in boys it may be more important to be attentive to how they feel about their bodies in relation to weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Forsén Mantilla
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Centre for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Norra stationsgatan 69, 7 tr, 113 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Birgegård
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Centre for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Norra stationsgatan 69, 7 tr, 113 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Clinton
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Centre for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Norra stationsgatan 69, 7 tr, 113 64 Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute for Eating Disorders, Kruses gata 8, 0263 Oslo, Norway
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