Eating disorders in a population of students of a college environment: correlation with 2 psychosocial characteristics
Ratté, C.; Pomerleau, G.; Lapointe, C.
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie 34(9): 892-897
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0706-7437 PMID: 2611756 Document Number: 343589
The aims of this study were to measure the extent of severe eating disorders among female college students, to verify if there is a correlation with two indicators of "pressure to perform" while evaluating a screening instrument. Of 1144 female students, 16.3% scored 20 or above on the EAT-26 scale. Interviews allowed to determine that the positive predictive value of the EAT-26 when coupled with a low self-reported weight is considerably heightened. It was possible to estimate that over the last three years one girl out of 12 has presented severe eating disorders and one in 65 has suffered from anorexia nervosa. The EAT score was significantly correlated with the mother's level of schooling but not with the student's academic discipline.