Eating disorder symptoms do not just disappear: the implications of adolescent eating-disordered behaviour for body weight and mental health in young adulthood

Abstract

This study reports the outcomes of childhood and adolescent eating-disordered behaviour on the development of body mass index (BMI) and psychological functioning in young adulthood in a population-based sample in Germany (the BELLA study). Information at baseline and follow-up was obtained through a telephone interview and mailed self-report questionnaires. At both measurement points, BMI, eating disorder symptoms (SCOFF questionnaire), and symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed in the same cohort of 771 participants (n = 420 females, n = 351 males). The age range at baseline was 11-17 years, and the age range at follow-up was 17-23 years. High scores for eating-disordered behaviour in childhood or adolescence significantly predicted eating-disordered behaviour in young adulthood (multiplicative effect estimate: 1.31; 95 % CI: 1.2-1.42, p < 0.0001), although there was a decline in prevalence (from 19.3 to 13.8 %, p = 0.002) and severity (mean decrease in SCOFF 0.07, 95 % CI: -0.01-0.14, p = 0.06). After accounting for potentially confounding variables at baseline (SES, probands' BMI, parental BMI, depressive symptoms), participants with more eating disorder symptoms at baseline had a higher risk of developing overweight (odds ratio (OR): 1.58; 95 % CI: 1.19-2.09, p = 0.001), obesity (OR = 1.67; 95 % CI: 1.03-2.66, p = 0.03), and depressive symptoms at follow-up (additive effect estimate: 0.45; 95 %CI: 0.19-0.7, p = 0.0006). Early symptoms of depression showed a significant relationship with extreme underweight in young adulthood (OR = 1.13; 95 %CI: 1.01-1.25, p = 0.02). The high stability of eating disorder symptoms and the significant association with overweight and worse mental health in adulthood underscore the need for early detection and intervention during childhood and adolescence. Youth with depression should be monitored for the development of restrictive eating disorders.

Comparación social de la apariencia en contextos de ejercicio físico como variable predictora de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en adolescentes de ambos sexos

“…En este sentido, estudios que consideraron muestras de adolescentes europeos de entre 12 y 18 años sugieren que entre el 8-18% de los chicos y el 22-31% de las chicas podrían encontrarse en riesgo de sufrir un TCA (Ferreiro, Seoane, & Senra, 2012;Herpertz-Dahlmann, Dempfle, Konrad, Klasen, & Ravens-Sieberer, 2015;Veses et al, 2014). Estas cifras resultan especialmente preocupantes, en concreto, atendiendo a las evidencias que sugieren que experimentar un TCA durante la adolescencia podría aumentar el riesgo de sufrir sobrepeso, obesidad y depresión durante las primeras etapas de la edad adulta (Herpertz-Dahlmann et al, 2015). En función de estos antecedentes, la necesidad de profundizar en la prevención y la detección temprana de los TCA parece justificada.…”

“…Se hipotetizó que, al igual que en anteriores estudios donde la frecuencia en la comparación de la apariencia fue considerada de forma general (Halliwell & Harvey, 2006), las chicas mostrarían mayores niveles en dicha variable; en el caso del presente estudio, considerada en el contexto de la práctica de ejercicio físico. De igual forma, se hipotetizó que respecto a los chicos, las chicas mostrarían mayores niveles de riesgo de padecer un TCA (Ferreiro et al, 2012;Herpertz-Dahlmann et al, 2015;Veses et al, 2014).…”

Persepsi tubuh negatif meningkatkan kejadian eating disorders pada remaja usia 15-19 tahun

“…Bila terdapat eating disorders maka akan dikelompokkan menjadi berbagai kriteria sesuai kelompoknya yaitu bulimia nervosa, Binge eating disorders, EDNOS dan anoreksia nervosa. (20) Untuk menilai persepsi tubuh digunakan Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDFRS). (11) Hasil nol menunjukkan subjek puas dengan bentuk tubuhnya/ persepsi tubuh positif sedangkan hasil positif/negatif menunjukkan subjek tidak puas dengan bentuk tubuhnya/ persepsi tubuh negatif.…”

“…Hal ini sesuai dengan penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Herpertz-Dahlmann et al (24) yang menyatakan bahwa jika persepsi tubuh yang negatif tidak diperbaiki atau diterapi maka lama kelamaan akan mengalami eating disordes karena persepsi tubuh memiliki pengaruh yang besar terhadap eating disorders. Hal ini sesuai karena kriteria usia dan jumlah populasi yang diteliti oleh Herpertz-Dahlmann et al (25) tidak jauh berbeda dengan kriteria usia yang dilakukan oleh peneliti yaitu pada usia remaja sampai dewasa muda.…”

Long-term effectiveness of a school-based primary prevention program for anorexia nervosa: A 7-to 8-year follow-up

“…Using a long-term perspective, disordered eating during childhood and adolescence may lead to a higher risk of disordered eating in young adulthood as well as overweight, obesity and depressive symptoms (Herpertz-Dahlmann, Dempfle, Konrad, Klasen, & RavensSieberer, 2014). However, longitudinal studies indicate that disordered eating and body dissatisfaction remain stable or increase from adolescence to adulthood (Herpertz-Dahlmann et al, 2014;Slane, Klump, McGue, & Iacono, 2014). This is important considering that disordered eating may result in clinically relevant eating disorders (EDs) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).…”