Eating disorder research in the past decade

Presence and severity of anorexia and bulimia among male and female Omani and non-Omani adolescents

OBJECTIVE

The population of Oman is a heterogeneous mix of nationalities providing a natural setting for studying the cross-cultural differences in the presence and severity of eating disorders as well as an opportunity for evaluating the performance of measurement instruments for these disorders.

METHOD

Disordered eating screening instruments (the Eating Attitude Test and the Bulimic Investigatory Test) were administered to Omani teenagers, non-Omani teenagers, and Omani adults.

RESULTS

On the Eating Attitude Test, 33% of Omani teenagers (29.4% females and 36.4% males) and 9% of non-Omani teenagers (7.5% of males and 10.6% females) showed a propensity for anorexic-like behavior. On the Bulimic Investigatory Test, 12.3% of Omani teenagers showed a propensity for binge eating or bulimia (13.7% females and 10.9% males). Among the non-Omani teenagers, 18.4% showed a tendency toward bulimia, with females showing a slightly greater tendency than males. In contrast, barely 2% of Omani adults showed either a presence of or a severity of disorderly behavior with food.

CONCLUSION

Omani teenagers scored significantly higher than other ethnic groups and Omani adults. This finding is discussed in the light of emerging evidence from many parts of the world suggesting that cultural transition, compounded by demographic constraints, plays a significant role in abnormal eating attitudes.

Identifying college athletes at risk for pathogenic eating

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of a discriminant function that predicts risk of pathogenic eating in comparison with a standard self report measure (EAT) and a clinical interview. In addition, to determine the effectiveness of this discriminant function using a variety of collegiate athletes.

METHODS

A total of 319 participants were asked to complete a series of self report measures that assessed dietary practices. In addition, anthropometric measures were obtained, and a random sample of 15% participated in a structured clinical interview.

RESULTS

Correlational analyses indicated that the discriminant function categorisation of risk was significantly related to both the clinical interview and EAT (p < or =0.05). The discriminant function was accurate in predicting risk category in this diverse group of athletes, particularly with respect to those at low risk (83.1%) and those at high risk (72.7%).

CONCLUSION

This information may be helpful in the development of a simple, accessible tool to identify athletes at risk of engaging in pathogenic eating behaviours.

Eating disorders

The eating disorders remain perplexing treatment challenges. These disorders are best understood through the clustering of their symptoms and with a multidimensional model. Treatment must follow from the observed symptoms and cannot always follow a standardized course as is done in other psychiatric disorders. CBT is the most efficacious treatment for both AN and BN.

Medical complications of anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is often characterized by progressive deterioration in many different organ systems. Most medical complications are the result of starvation and can be reversed with a well-planned refeeding program. While some of the complications of anorexia nervosa are predictable physiologic adaptations to the self-imposed starvation, many others are potentially life threatening. It is therefore incumbent upon all primary care physicians to become familiar with this disorder, because it is increasing in incidence and is commonly burdened by substantial chronicity and recidivism.