Resumo

BAY, Luisa B. et al. Alteraciones alimentarias en niños y adolescentes argentinos que concurren al consultorio del pediatra. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2005, vol.103, n.4, pp.305-316. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction. Eating disorders (ED) are frequent during adolescence; knowledge of their prevalence is helpful for health planning. Objectives. 1) To assess the prevalence of ED in Argentina in males and females aged 10-19; 2) Identify associated sociocultural and risk factors. Population, material and methods. A cross-sectional, two -stage study [screening with Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and diagnosis with Eating Disorder Examination (EDE-12)] was carried out from 1998-2001. Participants were a national sample of 1231 females and 740 males randomly selected after excluding ED patients. Specially trained pediatricians surveyed the population. Results. The EDE-Q identified 19.2% cases of suspected ED [24% females and 12% males, (p= 0.001)]. Identified risk factors were: presence of life crises; history of eating problems, of obese mother, and dieting behavior in a direct relative. Only 42% (n= 159) of the suspected cases returned for the diagnostic interview of the second stage. 6.94% of the total sample met DSM IV diagnostic criteria: 6.59% had binge eating disorder (BED); 0.3% had ED not otherwise specified; and 0.005% had bulimia nervosa. A 26.4% of the total sample was overweight or obese. Conclusion. Complete ED are infrequent, binge eating disorder was the most prevalent. Overweighted women showed an exaggerated concern with body weight and body shape. Risk factors found to be associated to ED were: life crises, a personal history of eating difficulties, a dieting immediate relative, and having an obese mother. The prevalence of ED was not associated to any region of the country nor to living in rural or urban areas, binge eating disorder was the most prevalent.

Palavras-chave : Eating abnormalities; Prevalence; Adolescents; Screening.

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