[Eating disorders in adolescents: clinical and epidemiological aspects].

OBJECTIVE: To compare in female adolescents clinical and epidemiological aspects of eating disorders.
METHODS: Three hundred schoolgirls, university students and young girls with weight problems who did not score within the pathological range of the Eating attitudes test (EAT-40) (group S), one hundred and thirty eight schoolgirls, university students and young girls with weight problems who scored within the pathological range of the EAT-40 (group SC) and one hundred eating disordered patients (group THC) were given the Eating disorders inventory (EDI).
RESULTS: The EAT-26 emerged as an abbreviated and trustful instrument. The scores on the EAT-40 and EDI were lower in group S, intermedial in group SC and higher in group THC. The same statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed on Interoceptive awareness. Bulimia, Ineffectiveness and Maturity fears. Diet (EAT-40-Factor I) (90%) and EDI-Drive for thinness (87%) had the highest sensitivity.
CONCLUSIONS: The EAT-26, EAT-40 and EDI were useful to confirm an eating disorder. On one hand, the profile of the eating disordered patients and the adolescents at risk was characterized by a high Drive for thinness and Body dissatisfaction and on the other, by a low Interoceptive awareness. Diet and Drive for thinness may be helpful for screening large non-clinical groups to predict an eating disorder. Finally, the importance of the nutrition assessment and primary prevention is emphasized.