BULIMIC WEIGHT-LOSS BEHAVIORS IN MILITARY VERSUS CIVILIAN WEIGHT-MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

This descriptive study evaluated the presence of bulimic weight-loss b ehaviors in individuals enrolled in: (1) a military weight-management program (N = 51); (2) a civilian weight-management program (N = 53); a nd (3) a comparison (military normal-weight) group (N = 51). A modifie d version of the Stanford Eating Disorders Questionnaire was administe red to all subjects, The results indicated that the military weight-ma nagement program group reported that they engaged in bulimic weight-lo ss behaviors two to five times more often than the comparison group, a nd that they engaged in vomiting, strenuous exercise, or use of a saun a/steam room four times as often as the civilian weight-management pro gram group. The results suggest that bulimic weight-loss behaviors may develop in individuals who feel extreme pressure to lose weight.