Features of eating disorders prevalence among adolescents in Penza

Abstract

Background. Study of eating disorders prevalence among adolescents in Penza is urgent for early diagnostics and timely treatment of the disease. The purpose of the research is to study peculiarities of eating disorders prevalence among adolescents of Penza depending on gender, age and types of eating disorders. Materials and methods. A onestage blind cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to adolescents using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). The DEBQ was administered to 172 pupils enrolled at schools of Penza: Municipal budgetary general education institution Secondary General Education School No.74, No.43, No.66. Pupils of classes 6, 8, 10 were interviewed. The criterion for inclusion in the sample was the age from 12-17 years old. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) developed by van Strien simultaneously measures three types of overeating. Results. The study showed that 83 (67.5 %) of the 123 adolescents who met the sample criteria had signs of eating disorders. Among the 62 girls interviewed, 44 (71 %) scored above the mean, which allows a diagnosis of eating disorders. Among the 61 boys, 41 (67 %) scored above the norm. It should be noted that eating disorders were detected in almost equal numbers in both sexes. Conclusions. Formation of eating behavior occurs in childhood and adolescence, so it is worth paying attention to the development of proper eating habits in children not only to parents, but also to teachers and doctors.

Keywords

• children
• schoolchildren
• adolescents
• eating disorder
• type of overeating
• restrictive type of overeating
• externalizing type of overeating
• emotional type of overeating