Sex differences in eating related behaviors and psychopathology among adolescent military dependents at risk for adult obesity and eating disorders.

ABSTRACT: Stressors unique to military families may place dependents of military service members of both sexes at high-risk for disordered-eating. Yet, there are no data examining sex-related differences in eating pathology and distress among this population. Therefore, we examined disordered-eating attitudes and associated psychosocial characteristics in adolescent military dependents at high-risk for both eating disorders and adult obesity (i.e., BMI???85th percentile and elevated anxiety symptoms and/or loss-of-control eating). One-hundred-twenty-five (55.2% female) adolescent (12-17?y) military dependents were studied prior to entry in an eating disorder and obesity prevention trial. Youth were administered the Eating Disorder Examination interview to determine disordered-eating attitudes, and completed questionnaires to assess self-esteem, social functioning, and depression. Girls and boys did not differ in BMIz (p?=?.66) or race/ethnicity (p?=?.997/p?=?.55). Adjusting for relevant covariates, girls and boys did not differ significantly with regard to disordered-eating global scores (p?=?.38), self-esteem (p?=?.23), or social functioning (p?=?.19). By contrast, girls reported significantly more symptoms of depression (p?=?.001). Adolescent male and female dependents at high-risk for eating disorders and adult obesity reported comparable levels of eating-related and psychosocial stress. Data are needed to elucidate how adolescent military dependents respond to intervention and whether sex moderates outcome.

SUBMITTER: Quattlebaum M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6535360 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature