Three to four year prospective evaluation of personality and behavioral risk factors for later disordered eating in adolescent girls and boys

Findings of a 3- to 4-year prospective investigation of personality, temper ament, and behavioral factors predictive of the later development of disord ered eating in an adolescent population are presented The sample consisted of 726 girls and 698 bays who entered the study in grades 7-10 in year 1 or in grade 7 in year 2. Predictors of eating disorder risk score were determ ined separately by gender For both girls and boys, the Intent variable of n egative affect/attitudes determined at study entrance was the only signific ant predictor of final-year risk score. Semistructured diagnostic interview s confirmed an eating disorder diagnosis in 52.8% of 36 female subjects in the high eating disorder symptom group. A substantial history of lifetime a nd current comorbidity also was noted in this group. The function of negati ve affect/attitudes as a generalized psychopathology vulnerability factor a nd as a specific factor increasing risk for disordered eating is discussed.