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Sex differences in psychosocial impairment associated with eating disorder features in adolescents: A school‐based study
Author(s) -
Bentley Caroline,
GratwickSarll Kassandra,
Harrison Carmel,
Mond Jonathan
Publication year - 2015
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/eat.22396
Subject(s) - psychosocial , psychology , binge eating , distress , psychological intervention , quality of life (healthcare) , clinical psychology , eating disorders , psychiatry , psychotherapist
Objective To examine sex differences in psychosocial impairment associated with eating disorder features (EDF) in adolescents. Method Questionnaires that assessed EDF (extreme dietary restriction, objective binge eating, subjective binge eating, purging, excessive exercise, and weight/shape overvaluation) and psychosocial impairment (general psychological distress and quality of life) were completed by a school‐based sample of adolescent males ( n = 531) and females ( n = 1135) in the Australian Capital Territory region of Australia. Results Each of the EDF assessed was associated with significant impairment in both male and female participants and this was the case for measures of both general psychological distress and quality of life, the only exception being that subjective binge eating was associated with elevated levels of distress in girls but not boys. The occurrence of subjective binge eating was associated with greater impairment in quality of life in girls than in boys. Otherwise, the effects of EDF on psychosocial functioning did not differ by sex. The prevalence of most EDF was higher in girls than in boys, although EDF were not uncommon in boys. Discussion There appear to be few differences between male and female adolescents in terms of psychosocial impairment associated with EDF. The findings support the need for preventive interventions that seek to reduce the adverse impact of EDF in both boys and girls. The logistic and policy challenges inherent in such efforts warrant greater consideration. Further research is needed to elucidate the help‐seeking behavior of young men with EDF who experience psychosocial impairment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:633–640)