ESPE2015 Poster Category 3 Puberty (39 abstracts)
Eating Disorders in Greek Adolescents: Frequency and Characteristics
Ioannis Kyrgios a , Vagia Papageorgiou a , Eleni Kotanidou a , Paraskevi Kokka a , Angeliki Kleisarchaki a , Konstantina Mouzaki a , Iro Tsara a , Efthimia Efstratiou a , Anna-Bettina Haidich b & Assimina Galli-Tsinopoulou a
a4th Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; bLaboratory of Hygiene, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Background: Eating disorders constitute serious mental disorders, characterized by a wide range of dysfunctional behaviors related to food. The term mainly includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and is closely related to onset during puberty. The study herein, presents the preliminary results of a school-based intervention trial regarding body weight disorders among Greek adolescents.
Aims and objectives: To explore the prevalence of eating disorders in a sample of 399 Greek adolescents (41.6% boys) aged 14.43±3.42 year-old.
Methods: All participants answered in privacy the questionnaire of eating habits, EAT-26. After calculation of the questionnaire scores, adolescents presenting score >20 were identified as individuals with serious indications/signs of eating disorders.
Results: Median score of EAT-26 questionnaire was nine with interquartile range (IQR) (5–14). After grouping the sample by gender, boys presented a median score of 7 (IQR: 4–10.25) while girls one of 10 (IQR: 5–16). The score of EAT-26 in the subgroup of girls was significantly higher compared with that of boys (P<0.001). In the total sample, 39 adolescents (30 girls) were detected to present serious indications/signs of eating disorder (9.77%). Signs of serious eating disorder were significantly more prevalent in girls than in boys (P=0.013).
Conclusions: Almost one out of ten adolescents presents signs of serious eating disorder, which require integrated diagnostic-psychiatric investigation and treatment. Girls present significantly greater prevalence of eating disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment constitute the necessary strategy for preserving mental health in the adolescent population.
Funding: Integrated System for Promotion and Education of Health of the Municipality of Ampelokipoi-Menemeni to combat obesity and eating disorders in adolescents ESPA European Community fund.
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