Eating behaviours among young women
Abraham, S.F.; Mira, M.; Beumont, P.J.; Sowerbutts, T.D.; Llewellyn-Jones, D.
Medical Journal of Australia 2(5): 225-228
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 6589463 Document Number: 210357
Studied was the eating behaviour of 4 groups of young Australian women 15 to 27 years old: 106 school and university students; 50 ballet school students; 22 patients with anorexia nervosa; and 44 patients with bulimia. The results suggested that most young women diet at some time and lose more than 3 kg in weight; that they may experience episodes of binge eating and "picking" behaviour; and that they wish to be thinner irrespective of their current bodyweight. Up to 20% of the young women might fulfil the criteria for bulimia or anorexia nervosa at some stage, however briefly, and about 7% abused laxatives or diuretics in order to achieve a fashionable slim figure. The incidence of disordered eating was greater in those young women who were under pressure to maintain a low bodyweight.