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Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors among women: Associations with sexual risk
Author(s) -
Fergus Kirkpatrick B.,
Copp Hillary L.,
Tabler Jennifer L.,
Nagata Jason M.
Publication year - 2019
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.23132
Subject(s) - eating disorders , disordered eating , binge eating , condom , young adult , medicine , psychology , odds ratio , psychiatry , demography , gerontology , sociology , syphilis , family medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)
Objective To evaluate the association between eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors and sexual risk in young women. Method We used prospective cohort data of young women ages 18–26 years from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health ( N = 5,899). Exposures of interest (at 18–26 years) included a self‐reported eating disorder diagnosis or disordered eating behaviors including fasting/skipping meals, vomiting, diet pills, or laxative/diuretic use to lose weight and binge eating. Sexual risk outcomes at 7‐year follow‐up included the number of new sexual partners, condom use, and sexually transmitted infections. Results Having either an eating disorder or reporting any disordered eating behavior was associated with a greater number of new sexual partners ( B = 1.09, 95% CI [0.18, 2.00]) and lower odds of condom use (odds ratio 0.70, 95% CI [0.53, 0.94] among a subsample of sexually active, unmarried women). Discussion Young women with eating disorders or who engage in disordered eating behaviors are at higher risk for multiple new sexual partners and unprotected sex. Clinicians caring for young adults with eating disorders may consider screening for sexual risk behaviors.