Risk Eating Behaviour and Attitudes of CzechAdolescents (A School Investigation)

Overview

Authors report on results of a questionnaire screening in randomly selected primary and grammar schools inPrague and České Budějovice focused on the identifi cation of inappropriate eating attitudes and assessmentof an impact of factors that can infl uence a development of eating disorders. The results of the study of 706boys and 725 girls confi rmed that already in an older school age (an average age of 14.5 years), especiallyat girls, risk diet attitudes were very strong. Between 14 and 15 years of age no considerable change occursin this respect. 60% of girls reported that they were not satisfi ed with their bodies and further 60% of girlsreported that they wished to lose weight. 2% of girls reported that they vomited at least once a week for thesereasons; altogether 10.5% of given girls reported an experience of vomiting for diet reasons. 13.8% of girlshad higher than critical score in EAT-26. This group, risk from the point of view of eating disorders, had anincreased risk also regarding addiction to psychoactive substances (they smoked cigarettes, marihuana andused alcohol drinks more often). In comparison with their peers, surprisingly, they had a higher self-esteemand a low score of pedantry (EDI). Their mothers and sisters dieted more often, their mothers were treatedin psychiatry more often, a relationship with their fathers was evaluated as unsatisfactory and a climatein their families as tense. Their families ate together less often and were more oriented to an exceptionalperformance. Girls with a high EAT score had an opportunity to go out for entertainment more often, wentshopping or to shopping centres more often, did sports and toned up at home more.

Key words:
eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, adolescence, addiction.