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The risks of disordered eating in Hong Kong adolescents

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ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the risks of disordered eating among Hong Kong adolescents. SUBJECTS: A total of 893 students (12–18 years old) participated in a cross-sectional study in 2007. METHODS: Students’ height and weight were measured and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was completed. The risks of disordered eating were assessed by EAT-26 results and weight status. Sex differences in the risks of disordered eating were examined by logistic regression models with adjustment for age. RESULTS: Based on the EAT-26 results, 18.5% of boys and 26.6% of girls were at risk of disordered eating with a significant adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.58 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–2.18] for sex. A significant OR of 1.60 (95%CI 1.21–2.13) for sex was also obtained when both EAT-26 results and weight status were used for the screening. CONCLUSIONS: Hong Kong adolescent girls have a higher risk of disordered eating than boys. EAT-26 results together with measured weight status are useful criteria for screening disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in adolescents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

    K.-K. Mak

  2. Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    C.-M. Lai

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  1. K.-K. Mak
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  2. C.-M. Lai
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Correspondence to K.-K. Mak.

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Mak, KK., Lai, CM. The risks of disordered eating in Hong Kong adolescents. Eating Weight Disord. 16, e289–e292 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327475

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327475

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