The Eating Disorders Examination in adolescent males with anorexia nervosa: how does it compare to adolescent females?

Int J Eat Disord. 2012 Jan;45(1):110-4. doi: 10.1002/eat.20896. Epub 2011 Feb 18.

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to explore the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) for adolescent males with eating disorders (EDs) compared with adolescent females with EDs.

Method: Data were collected from 48 males and matched on percent median body weight (MBW) and age to 48 females at two sites.

Results: Adolescent males with anorexia nervosa-type presentation scored significantly lower than matched females on Shape Concern, Weight Concern, and Global score. They also scored lower on a number of individual items.

Discussion: The EDE has clinical utility with adolescent males with anorexic-type presentation although males' scoring ranges are consistently lower than those from adolescent females with similar clinical presentations. Males scored significantly lower on a number of items representing core symptoms such as desire to lose weight. More research is needed to gain a better understanding of the experience of adolescent males with EDs, particularly in relation to the nature of shape concern.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anorexia Nervosa / diagnosis*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychometrics
  • Surveys and Questionnaires