Unhealthy eating behaviour in adolescents

In recent years, eating disorders (Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa) have incre ased and are appearing at increasingly younger ages. They affect predominan tly adolescent females 12 to 25 years of age. The objective of this study o f adolescents is to detect and discuss unhealthy eating behaviour, defined by either of two factors: (1) following a slimming diet not advised or supe rvised by any person trained in health care; or (2) eating very large quant ities at irregular times, not related to anxiety or stress. A transversal s tudy has been undertaken of 630 school children of 14-18 years of age (aver age: 15.9 years) in Cadiz (Andalucia, Spain), using an anonymous self-repor ting questionnaire to collect data on personal and educational situation, o n eating habits, on nutritive intake and knowledge of nutrition, and on die ting and physical exercise. The study has considered averages, ratios, stat istical significance (chi(2)) and, as a measure of risk, the Disequality Ra tio of Prevalence (DRP). Anomalous eating behaviour was detected in 46.3% ( 292), with females predominant by a ratio of 2:1. Comparing groups with ano malous and with normal eating habits, significant differences were detected in respect of: perception of body image (p < 0.001), frequency of weighing oneself (p < 0.05), periods of abstinence from eating (DRP 1.66; 95% confi dence interval (CI): 1.66-2.37), provocation of vomiting (DRP 2.02; 95% CI: 1.13-3.65), use of laxatives (DRP 4.25; 95% CI: 1.08-9.63), and the exclus ion of certain meals and types of food, mainly bread and cereals, fats and sugars. Conclusions are drawn on the substantial scale of unhealthy eating behaviour among adolescents in Cadiz. More adequate education on personal h ealth and related social issues should be provided.