Full and partial syndromes in eating disorders: A 1-year prospective studyof risk factors among female students

The present study is an investigation into the risk factors and natural his tory of full and partial syndrome eating disorders in a sample of 394 16-ye ar-old female students. We used a two-stage procedure (screening and clinic al interviews) and the same procedure was repeated after a 1-year follow-up . A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that drive for thinness an d tendency towards somatization are associated with an increased risk of la ter developing an eating disorder, Use of hypocaloric diets and a desire to be thinner characterized those asymptomatic subjects who were later to dev elop a partial syndrome. Perfectionism appeared to be a maintenance factor for subjects who presented a full or partial eating disorder at baseline.