Young women with physical disabilities: Risk factors for symptoms of eating disorders

Women with disabilities are at risk for poor psychological adjustment and u nhealthy weight-control practices. This study was conducted to determine th e prevalence of symptoms of eating disorders in a clinic-based sample of wo men who had two disabling conditions and to identify condition-related risk factors that were linked to these symptoms. A cross-sectional survey of 71 women (mean age = 23 yr) with spina bifida or rheumatologically related il lnesses was conducted to assess the symptoms of eating disorders, condition -related characteristics, and weight-control practices. Symptoms of eating disorders were measured by the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). Eight perc ent of the respondents reported a sufficient number of symptoms of eating d isorders to indicate a possible clinical disorder. More than 20% of the res pondents scored at or above the clinical cut-point on at least one of the e ight EDI subscales. Selected condition-related characteristics (multiple co nditions, condition-affected driving, and uncertainty of illness course) we re associated with EDI scores after adjusting for demographic variables, fa mily factors, and weight-control practices.