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Eating attitudes and disorder in young women: a general practice based survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

G. N. Meadows
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Leicester School of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Leicestershire Health Authority
R. L. Palmer*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Leicester School of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Leicestershire Health Authority
E. U. M. Newball
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Leicester School of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Leicestershire Health Authority
J. M. T. Kenrick
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Leicester School of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Leicestershire Health Authority
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr R. L. Palmer, Department of Psychiatry, University of Leicester, Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester.

Synopsis

A postal survey with selected follow-up interviews was conducted on a complete population of females aged 18–22 registered with two group general practices in Leicestershire. The mailing included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Crown—Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI). There was a 70% response rate and 411 usable questionnaires were returned. Twenty-eight respondents (6·8%) produced EAT scores of 30 or more. One case of anorexia nervosa and one of bulimia were identified. Interviews of high EAT scoring subjects revealed several subjects with partial syndromes which failed to fulfil diagnostic criteria for either clinical eating disorder.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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