Association of a history of childhood-onset obesity and dieting with eating disorders

Eat Disord. 2017 May-Jun;25(3):216-229. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2017.1279905. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Abstract

This was a retrospective, observational chart review conducted on a convenience sample of 537 outpatients, aged 16-60 years, referred to an Italian Dietetic and Nutrition University Center. The study aimed to look at the association between a history of childhood obesity and dieting behaviors with development of eating disorders (EDs) at a later age. Subjects with a history of EDs (n = 118), assessed using both self-report and health records, were compared with those with no EDs (n = 419), who were attending the clinic mainly for primary prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of childhood-onset obesity with development of an ED at a later age. Childhood-onset obesity, gender, maternal history of eating disorders, and dieting were associated with a positive history of EDs at a later age (p < .05). It is important to raise professional awareness of early symptoms of EDs in children with a history of obesity and treat them accordingly.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Diet, Reducing / statistics & numerical data*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pediatric Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult