Dietary intake according to the course of symptoms of eating disorders in a school-based follow-up study of adolescents

Abstract

This study examines dietary intake according to the course of risk of eating disorder (rED) in a sample of school-age followed from preadolescence to adolescence. An initial sample of 1336 adolescents completed the Children's Eating Attitudes Test, and we selected a group with rED and a control group randomly. Two years later, 162 adolescents completed the Eating Attitudes Test and were classified into three groups according to the course of symptoms (no rED = 57; remission of rED = 62; persistent rED = 43). Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day food record and 24-h recalls over 3 days. The results showed that girls with persistent rED reduced their energy and nutrient intake, with a 67.5% at risk of inadequate vitamin and mineral intake. Boys with persistent rED maintained their dietary intake, with a 25% at risk of inadequate vitamin and mineral micronutrient intake. Therefore, early detection of rED is necessary to prevent the exacerbation of nutritional problems.

Keywords: adolescents; eating disorders; intake; nutrition.