Objectives 

To measure the prevalence of eating disorders in a national representative sample of adolescent girls and association of eating disorders with other behavioral/mental problems in Switzerland.

Methods 

As part of a national health survey, a subsample of 1,084 15 to 20-year-old female students attending school aged filled in a self-administered anonymous questionnaire focusing on eating behavior and body image.

Factor analysis made on these specific questions reveals two major dimensions : weight and image concern (WIC) and problematic eating conduct (PEC).

The correlates of these two dimensions were measured using bivariate analyses.

Results 

Among girls, 62% say they want to lose weight, 36% feel too fat, 37% report fasting episodes, 18.9% fear not to be able to stop eating, 9.1% engage in binge eating at least once a week (1.9% daily), 1.6% self-induced vomit at least once a week (0.2% daily).

Girls who exhibit high WIC (N=198) or high PEC (N=75) scores report significantly more mood problems (p<. 05), suicidal conducts (p<. 05), or violent and aggressive behaviors (p<. 05).

No association is found with substance use.

Associations with acting-out behavior are stronger among high PEC subjects, whereas those with mood disorders are stronger among high WIC subjects.

Conclusion 

A large proportion of adolescent girls show concerns regarding their weight and body image whereas a less important proportion exhibit dysfunctional eating behavior. (...)