Objective: The purpose of this paper was to review and summarize the research literature on the spectrum of eating disturbances. Method: Literature was searched using a computer data base to identify recent articles related to the prevalence and occurrence of disturbed eating patterns as well as full and partial syndrome eating disorders (EDs). Results: This review indicates that the prevalence of partial syndrome EDs in nonclinical populations is at least twice that of full syndrome EDs, and that there is a progression in some individuals from less to more severe disturbances in eating behavior. Discussion: These findings suggest the need for careful, scientific evaluation of risk factors for EDs in both children and adults. A longitudinal research program in progress is described which aims to identify the risk factors for EDs. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

We have explored the apparent similarity between patients with anorexia nervosa and a subgroup of male athletes designated as "obligatory runners." Case examples are provided from interviews with more than 60 marathon and trail runners. Obligatory runners resemble anorexic women in terms of family background; socioeconomic class; and such personality characteristics as inhibition of anger, extraordinarily high self-expectations, tolerance of physical discomfort, denial of potentially serious debility, and a tendency toward depression. Anorexic women and members of their families are often compulsively athletic, and obligatory runners may demonstrate a bizarre preoccupation with food and an unusual emphasis on lean body mass. We speculate that both phenomena could represent a partially successful--albeit dangerous--attempt to establish an identity. These preliminary observations will require further study for validation.

Objective To describe the development, test‐retest reliability, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the McKnight Risk Factor Survey‐III (MRFS‐III). The MRFS‐III was designed to assess a number of potential risk and protective factors for the development of disordered eating in preadolescent and adolescent girls. Method Several versions of the MRFS were pilot tested before the MRFS‐III was administered to a sample of 651 4th through 12th‐ grade girls to establish its psychometric properties. Results Most of the test‐retest reliability coefficients of individual items on the MRFS‐III were r >.40. Alpha coefficients for each risk and protective factor domain on the MRFS‐III were also computed. The majority of these coefficients were r >.60. High convergent validity coefficients were obtained for specific items on the MRFS‐III and measures of self‐esteem (Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale) and weight concerns (Weight Concerns Scale). Conclusions The test‐retest reliability, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the MRFS‐III suggest that it is a useful new instrument to assess potential risk and protective factors for the development of disordered eating in preadolescent and adolescent girls. © 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 25: 195–214, 1999.

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Objective: Assess the association between reporting bias of dietary energy intake and the behavioral and psychological pro®les in women. Design: At baseline a series of questionnaires were administered to 37 women, (the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (WAI), the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Restraint Scale and Sorensen-Stunkard's silhouettes). Subjects received training on how to record dietary records. Subjects recorded three days of dietary records to measure energy intake (EI) during a study to determine total energy expenditure (TEE) using doubly labeled water. Reporting accuracy (RA EIaTEE 6 100) was determined for each subject. Statistical analysis of the data used a mixed effects model accounting for within subject variability to determine if the psychological scores were associated with reporting accuracy. Setting and subject: Women were recruited with local advertisements in Tucson, Arizona. The women had a mean ( AE 1 s.d.) age of 43.6 AE 9.3 yrs, body mass index (BMI) of 28.7 AE 8.5 kgam 2 and total body fat (%TBF) of 31.9 AE 7.3%. Results: Age and %TBF were signi®cantly and inversely associated with RA. Furthermore, Social Desirability was negatively associated with RA. Body dissatisfaction and associating a smaller body size than one's own as being more healthy were also associated with a lower RA. Conclusions: These results suggest that Social Desirability and self image of body shape are associated with RA. Modi®cations in subject training may reduce the effect of these factors on RA. Sponsorship: This project was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and