Susceptibility of Singapore Chinese schoolgirls to anorexia nervosa--Part I (Psychological factors).

Of 656 GCE "O" level Chinese Singapore schoolgirls, it was found that 56% perceived themselves as being too fat, and 38% had been teased about being overweight. On the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), 15 (2%) had a score at the anorectic range. Compared to a group of American undergraduates, Singaporean subjects had no significant difference on the drive for thinness scores, but had significantly higher scores on bulimia, ineffectiveness, body dissatisfaction, interpersonal distress and greater maturity fears. In a population which appears to be susceptible to anorexia nervosa, possible reasons for the low incidence of this disorder is discussed.