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Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are thought to be relatively rare in non-Western cultures and among non-Caucasians living in the West. Presumably, this is because there is greater cultural emphasis on being slim in Western societies. Attitudes regarding body image have been shown to differ across cultures. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) are two instruments that have been developed to screen for eating disorders and measure dissatisfaction with body shape in those with eating disorders. They have not been used to any degree with non-Caucasians. A study was designed to assess the validity of the EAT and BSQ with Asian schoolgirls living in Britain, to measure the prevalence of eating disorders in this population, and to determine which social and cultural factors might correlate with high scores and eating disorders. Two hundred four Asian girls and 355 Caucasians girls were administered the questionnaires. Age ranged from 14 to 16 years and, among the Asian girls, 88 percent were Muslim, nine percent were Sikh, and three percent were Hindu. Statistical analysis of the results suggest that the instruments were as valid for the Asian subjects as they were for the Caucasians. Regarding social and cultural factors, it was found that Asian girls who paid the most importance to language and dress were more likely to achieve high scores on the questionnaires. The use of English in the home showed no effect, and, surprisingly, girls diagnosed as bulimic scored higher on traditional items as opposed to Western items. This is explained in terms of the internal conflict between traditional values and Western ideas, and rigidity in traditional Asian families that may foster greater intergenerational conflict. The EAT and BSQ are thus valid instruments for the measurement and differentiation of eating disorders in Asian girls living in Britain. These disorders do exist in this population. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

In this recent study, researchers in the United States conducted a study "To determine the conversion risk and predictors for depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Prospective longitudinal study. [...]

Byline: Tula Karras Photographs by Bill Diodato SELF's groundbreaking survey reveals that more than 6 in 10 women are disordered eaters. Another 1 in 10 have eating disorders. Find out […]

Young people affected by eating disorders feel alone and unable to confide that they have a problem to their families, a shocking new survey has revealed. GPs are also failing [...]

Purpose. Although oral health providers have an important role in early identification, referral, and case management of patients with eating disorders, little is reported regarding their current secondary prevention practices. The purpose of this study was to assess readiness among dentists and dental hygienists pertaining to secondary prevention of disordered eating among their patients. Methods. This study employed a randomized cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 207 dentists and 369 dental hygienists using a self-administered paper and pencil questionnaire. The questionnaire included items derived from constructs from the. Transtheoretical Model in addition to demographic information. Five criterion-specific secondary prevention behaviors were assessed with regard to eating disorders: identification of oral manifestations, addressing concerns, prescribing oral treatment, patient referral, and case management. Results. Generally speaking, the majority of responding dentists and dental hygienists were observed to be in a low state of readiness with regard to the five criterion-specific behaviors. Less than 33% of responding dentists and 43% of dental hygienists reported that they assessed patients for disordered eating, and only 42% of dentists and 44% of dental hygienists prescribed specific home oral health care instructions for patients suspected of eating disorders. Less than 21% of dentists and 20% of dental hygienists currently arranged a more frequent recall program, while less than 20% of dentists and 17% of dental hygienists reported that they referred patients with oral manifestations of eating disorders for treatment. Only 13% of responding dentists and 7% of dental hygienists reported communicating with the patient&apos;s primary care provider, Statistically significant differences were observed among oral health providers with regard to assessing their patients for disordered eating (p =. 006) and communicating with the patients&apos; primary care providers (p < .001). In general, more dental hygienists indicated assessing patients for oral manifestations of disordered eating, while more dentists reported communicating with their patients &apos;primary care providers. Conclusions. Engaging the oral health care provider in secondary prevention of eating disorders is important for decreasing the potential for further damage to the teeth and oral tissue, as well as improving the patient&apos;s overall health and quality of life. Although both dentists and dental hygienists play important roles in secondary prevention of eating disorders, increasing the number who engage in consistent secondary prevention practices is essential Increasing the involvement of oral health care providers in secondary prevention behaviors will involve movement along the continuum of stages (pre-contemplation to contemplation to action to maintenance), while also understanding that movement may take time and involve regression along the way. Keywords: Transtheoretical Model, eating disorder, secondary prevention, Introduction Epidemiological studies suggest an increased incidence of eating disorders occurring among developed countries around the world. (1) Current studies have observed a 5% increase in the incidence of eating [...]

Byline: McGinnis, Marianne Nearly one in four people struggling with obesity may have night eating syndrome (NES), yet most of these all-evening munchers aren't getting the help they need. New [...]