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Incidence and correlates of bulimic behavior in a female high school population

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Abstract

To investigate the incidence and correlates of bulimic behavior, 1268 high school females were surveyed. A 47-item questionnaire was used to identify a group of students that would meet the DSM-III criteria for a probable diagnosis of bulimia. Students were then compared across the four content areas of demographics; body perception and weight information; dieting, exercise and menstrual behavior; and frequency of bingeing and purging behavior. Results indicated that 4.9% of the students met rigorous criteria for the diagnosis of bulimia. Between-group comparisons indicated that body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and chronicity of dieting differentiated the two groups.

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This work was supported by Biomedical Research Grant #RR5476, the Sears Allstate Foundation, and the George and Tina Barr Foundation.

Main interest is eating disorders.

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Johnson, C., Lewis, C., Love, S. et al. Incidence and correlates of bulimic behavior in a female high school population. J Youth Adolescence 13, 15–26 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02088650

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02088650

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