PRELIMINARY-STUDY OF EATING DISORDERS AMONG FRENCH FEMALE ADOLESCENTSAND YOUNG-ADULTS

We have performed an exploratory study of eating disorders among femal e adolescents (N = 38) and young adult (N = 38) students living in Par is, France. A high percentage of the subjects in the adolescent (68.4% ) and young adult (50%) groups displayed one or more atypical eating b ehaviors with grazing being prominent (60.5% and 42.1%, respectively) in both groups. Bulimia nervosa (DSM-III-R) was found only in the olde r group (3/38 vs. 0/38). Binge eating was significantly more frequent more frequent among the older subjects (12/38 vs. 1/38). Nicotine depe ndence and daily grazing with a history of grazing during childhood we re reported in all subjects with bulimia nervosa (DSM-III-R). These da ta, while requiring replication in larger samples, indicate that atypi cal eating behaviors are common in the populations sampled. Furthermor e, daily grazing (especially with a history of grazing during childhoo d) and nicotine dependence may be strongly associated with the develop ment of bulimia nervosa. (C) 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.