The risks of disordered eating in Hong Kong adolescents
K.-K. Mak1, and C.-M. Lai2
1Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the risks of disordered eating among Hong Kong adolescents. SUBJECTS: A total of 893 students (12-18 years old) participated in a cross-sectional study in 2007. METHODS: Students’ height and weight were measured and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was completed. The risks of disordered eating were assessed by EAT-26 results and weight status. Sex differences in the risks of disordered eating were examined by logistic regression models with adjustment for age. RESULTS: Based on the EAT-26 results, 18.5% of boys and 26.6% of girls were at risk of disordered eating with a significant adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.58 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.18] for sex. A significant OR of 1.60 (95%CI 1.21-2.13) for sex was also obtained when both EAT-26 results and weight status were used for the screening. CONCLUSIONS: Hong Kong adolescent girls have a higher risk of disordered eating than boys. EAT-26 results together with measured weight status are useful criteria for screening disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in adolescents. (Eating Weight Disord. 16: e289-e292, 2011). ©2011, Editrice Kurtis

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