Dietitians: Are they a risk group for eating disorders?

The present study examined the eating behaviour and eating disorders of Aus trian dietitians. Questionnaires were distributed to 500 Austrian dietitian s and completed by 320 (64 per cent) subjects. Of the entire sample, 21 (6. 6 percent) of the dietitians were underweight, more than two-thirds normal in weight, and 40 (12.3 per cent) overweight, while 24 (7.5 percent) met th e EDI criteria for being at risk for developing an eating disorder. The pre valence rates of eating disorders in the past or present were 2.5 per cent (n = 8) for anorexia nervosa and 3.4 per cent (n = 11) for bulimia nervosa. Of the 40 overweight dietitians, six (15 per cent) met the diagnostic crit eria for binge eating syndrome. The findings show that, on the one hand, di etitians are quite similar in their weight, eating attitudes and eating beh aviour to other women, and that, on the other hand, some dietitians may be considered at risk for developing eating disorders or having an eating diso rder. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Associ ation.