Binge and purge behavior among adolescents: associations with sexual and physical abuse in a nationally representative sample: the Commonwealth Fund survey

Objectives: (1) To examine associations between binge and purge behavior an d sexual and physical abuse among adolescents; (2) to determine if these as sociations remain significant after controlling for sociodemographic and an thropometric characteristics; and (3) to identify aspects of abuse associat ed with binge and purge behavior. Method: A nationally representative sample of 6728 adolescents in 5th-12th grades completed the Commonwealth Fund Survey of the Health of Adolescent G irls and Boys. Results: Binge and purge behavior was nearly twice as prevalent among girls (13%) as boys (7%), and was significantly associated with all abuse types (physical, sexual, or both). Associations were strongest among individuals who had experienced both physical and sexual abuse [odds ratios 4.28 (girls ) and 8.25 (boys)]. Differences in binge and purge behavior by gender and t ype of abuse across abuse characteristics were limited. A higher percentage of abused youth that did not discuss their abuse reported binge-purge beha vior than those who did discuss their abuse. Abused girls and boys who did talk to someone about the abuse most often discussed the abuse with their b est friend (42.5% and 18.0%, respectively), their mother (38.8% and 32.2%, respectively), and their friends (27.2% and 19.5%, respectively). Discussion: Being physically and/or sexually abused was associated with gre ater likelihood for engaging in binge and purge behaviors. Discussing the a buse experience with another person may help to reduce binge-purge behavior , as abused adolescents who did not discuss the abuse were more likely to r eport binge-purge behavior than those who did discuss their abuse. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.