Open AccessConsequences of Making Weight: A Review of Eating Disorder Symptoms and Diagnoses in the U nited S tates Military
Author(s) -
Bodell Lindsay,
Forney Katherine Jean,
Keel Pamela,
Gutierrez Peter,
Joiner Thomas E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
clinical psychology: science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1468-2850
pISSN - 0969-5893
DOI - 10.1111/cpsp.12082
Subject(s) - eating disorders , psychiatry , military personnel , context (archaeology) , active duty , medical diagnosis , military service , disordered eating , psychology , clinical psychology , salience (neuroscience) , medicine , paleontology , history , archaeology , pathology , political science , law , cognitive psychology , biology
Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illnesses associated with health problems. Such problems may compromise military performance, highlighting the need to establish the level of eating pathology that exists in military samples. This article qualitatively reviews prevalence estimates of eating disorder symptoms and diagnoses in military samples, providing nonmilitary estimates for context. Findings suggest that eating disorder symptoms are prevalent in cadets and active duty service members, especially when using self‐report measures. The increased salience of weight in the military and increased exposure to trauma may influence risk for eating disorders. Alternatively, individuals at risk for eating disorders may self‐select into the military. Overall, this review suggests that eating disorder symptoms are common in military samples and that further research is warranted.