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Prevalence of chew and spit and its relation to other features of disordered eating in a community sample
Author(s) -
Aouad Phillip,
Hay Phillipa,
Soh Nerissa,
Touyz Stephen
Publication year - 2018
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.22873
Subject(s) - respondent , population , quality of life (healthcare) , demography , gerontology , clinical psychology , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , sociology , political science , law , psychotherapist
Background Until recently, research into Chew and Spit (CHSP) behavior has predominantly focused on clinical samples, and little is known of its prevalence in the community. The current study aimed to bridge this gap by exploring CHSP features in a representative sample of the general population. We hypothesized that the point‐prevalence of CHSP would be less than 1% ; concurrent with other eating disorder symptomology, and associated with poorer health related quality of life (HRQoL). Methodology Using the 2016, respondent‐based, South Australian Health Omnibus Survey (HOS), data were collected on 3047 participants aged ≥15 years old. HRQoL was assessed with the Short‐Form health‐questionnaire‐v1 (SF‐12). Results CHSP point prevalence was 0.4% (95% CI .23 to .69%; n = 13), and was more prevalent in people with compensatory disordered eating behaviors. The median age of those with CHSP was 39, and both mental and physical HRQoL were reduced compared with the general population (Mdn: MHQoL = 49; HRQoL = 50), with MHQoL being significantly lower in those with symptoms of a clinically diagnosable ED and concurrently engaged in CHSP ( z = –2.33, p = .020). Conclusions Due to the low prevalence of CHSP, the reliability of inferential statistics may increase the chance of Type II errors, therefore, future studies should use larger samples. Although CHSP is not “common” in a wider community sample, its prevalence appears to be similar to other ED associated symptoms.