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Laxative abuse for weight control in adolescents
Author(s) -
Lachenmeyer Juliana Rasic,
MuniBrander Paulette,
Belford Susan
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(198811)7:6<849::aid-eat2260070617>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - laxative , socioeconomic status , population , psychiatry , incidence (geometry) , medicine , weight control , psychology , environmental health , obesity , physics , constipation , optics
The present study investigated laxative abuse among adolescents of both genders and from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. The relationship of laxative abuse to other eating disorders was also assessed. Results indicated that 3.5% of the nonclinical adolescent population used laxatives to control their weight. There were no gender differences; twice as many upper SES adolescents used laxatives. The use of diuretics was the other weight reduction technique that most highly correlated with laxative use. Significantly more laxative users met DSM‐III criteria for bulimia. However, interestingly enough, 45% of the laxative users showed no other accompanying eating disorder. This finding suggests that this group is not likely to be detected and may thereby remain untreated and be at risk for physical and psychiatric problems.