Trish Beuhring

Disordered eating among adolescents: Associations with sexual/physical abuse and other familial/psychosocial factors

OBJECTIVE To examine associations between disordered eating behaviors and a range of familial/psychosocial factors, including sexual and physical abuse experiences, among adolescent girls and boys. METHOD A statewide representative sample of 9,943 students in Grades 7, 9, and 11 in Connecticut completed a comprehensive survey on adolescent health within their schools. The present analysis focused on measures of disordered eating, sexual and physical abuse, familial factors, peer support, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Youth at increased risk for disordered eating included those who perceived family communication, parental caring, and parental expectations as low and those who reported sexual or physical abuse experiences. After adjusting for differences in familial/psychosocial factors, associations between abuse experiences and disordered eating were weakened. However, youth who reported sexual abuse were still at increased risk for disordered eating, even after adjusting for physical abuse, sociodemographics, and familial/psychosocial factors (girls: odds ratio [OR] = 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51, 2.64; boys: OR = 4.88, 95% CI = 2.94, 8.10). Youth reporting physical abuse were also at increased risk for disordered eating after adjusting for sexual abuse, sociodemographics, and familial/psychosocial factors (girls: OR = 2. 00, 95% CI = 1.52, 2.62; boys: OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.26, 3.04). DISCUSSION The findings suggest that strong familial relationships may decrease the risk for disordered eating among youth reporting abuse experiences, but both sexual and physical abuse are strong independent risk factors for disordered eating among both adolescent girls and boys.

Adolescent Health in the Caribbean: Risk and Protective Factors

OBJECTIVES This study sought to identify, among youths, factors associated with characteristics such as poor health status, substance use, and suicide risk and to explore the extent to which the risk and protective factors identified cut across health-compromising behaviors. METHODS A survey was administered to representative samples of young people from 9 Caribbean countries. RESULTS Physical/sexual abuse and having a friend or relative who had attempted suicide were associated with an increased prevalence of health-compromising behaviors. Connectedness with parents and school and attendance at religious services were associated with fewer health risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS When the identified risk and protective factors were compared with those seen among young people in the United States, similarities as well as important differences were found.

Adolescent Health in the Caribbean: A Regional Portrait

OBJECTIVES This study assessed youth health in the Caribbean Community and Common Market countries and describes the prevalence of health-related factors. METHODS We used a self-administered classroom questionnaire; questions addressed general health, health care, nutrition, sexual history, drug use, mental health, violence, family characteristics, and relationships with others. RESULTS Most youths reported good health; however, 1 in 10 reported a limiting disability or significant health problems. Violence was a pervasive concern. Of those who reported history of sexual intercourse, many reported that their first intercourse was forced, and nearly half reported that they were aged 10 years or younger when they first had intercourse. CONCLUSIONS Although most young people are healthy, problems indicate the importance of monitoring trends and designing effective youth health programs.

Weight-Related Sports Involvement in Girls: Who Is at Risk for Disordered Eating?.

A 225-item questionnaire was completed by 5163 female 7th, 9th and 11th grade public school students in their classrooms to examine factors associated with eating disorders among girls involved in weight-related sports. Eating disorder symptoms were found in almost one third of girls involved in weight-related and non-weight-related sports. However, after controlling for grade, race, SES, and study design effect, girls in weight-related sports were 51% more likely to have eating disorder symptoms. Also, among girls in weight-related sports who had eating disorders, substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse history, depressive symptoms, suicide attempts, low family communication, and low parental caring were 98% to 377% more common.