RISK-FACTORS FOR EATING DISORDERS IN GREEK-AUSTRALIAN AND ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Past research indicates ethnicity may be related to eating disorder an d related risk factors. The present study examine risk factors for eat ing disorders in 50 Anglo- and 50 Greek-Australian girls (mean age = 1 3.5 years). The variable assessed included bulimic tendencies, body di ssatisfaction, use of extreme weight loss behaviors (EWLBs), self-este em, depression and family cohesion and adaptability. Cultural eating p atterns were also explored. A stepwise discriminant function analysis to examine whether the two groups could be discriminated on these vari ables was significant and correctly classified 73.9% of the sample, th e chief discriminating variables being Pressure to Eat, EWLBs, and Fam ily Adaptability. Univariate analyses indicated differences between th e groups on Pressure to Eat, Family Adaptability, and Mother's Shape. Although the groups were discriminable, a number of variables generall y associated with eating disorder did not contribute to the function. These data are discussed in terms of cultural assimilation. (C) 1995 b y John Wiley & Sons, Inc.