Association between excessive body fat and eating-disorder risk in adolescents: The AFINOS Study

Abstract

Background and objective

Overweight and obesity, together with eating disorders, are important public health concerns in adolescence. The aim of this study was to assess the association between excessive body fat and the risk of eating disorders.

Subjects and method

The sample consisted of 195 adolescents (97 girls) aged 13 to 18 years. Eating-disorder risk was evaluated by applying the SCOFF questionnaire. Body mass index, sum of 6 skinfolds, waist and hip circumferences and waist-hip and waist-height ratios were used to assess body fat.

Results

24.7% of girls and 17.3% of boys were at risk of eating disorders, and 31.6% of boys and 21.6% of girls presented overweight (including obesity) according to Cole's cut-off points. Those adolescents classified above the 85th percentile on all the anthropometric measurements, as well as overweight adolescents, were at increased risk of developing an eating disorder (OR: 2.8-4.30, all p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Regardless of the anthropometric measurements used, adolescents with excessive body fat showed a higher risk of having eating disorders than those with normal weight.

Resumen

Fundamento y objetivo

El sobrepeso y la obesidad, junto con los trastornos del comportamiento alimentario (TCA) en los adolescentes, constituyen un importante problema de salud pública. El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido evaluar la posible asociación entre un exceso de grasa y el riesgo de padecer TCA.

Sujetos y método

195 (13-18 años) adolescentes (97 chicas) fueron analizados. El riesgo de padecer TCA se valoró mediante cuestionario SCOFF. La composición corporal se evaluó midiendo pliegues subcutáneos, circunferencias de cintura y cadera, peso y talla, calculándose los índices: masa corporal, cintura/cadera y cintura/altura.

Resultados

24,7% de las chicas y 17,3% de los chicos presentaban riesgo de padecer TCA, mientras que 31,6% de los chicos y 21,6% de las chicas se clasificaron como sobrepeso u obesidad según la clasificación de Cole. Los adolescentes clasificados por encima del percentil 85 en las medidas de composición corporal y aquellos que presentaron sobrepeso u obesidad tuvieron mayor riesgo de desarrollar TCA (OR: 2,87 a 4,30, todas p < 0,01).

Conclusión

Independientemente de la medida antropométrica empleada, los adolescentes que presentaron un exceso de grasa corporal tuvieron un riego más alto de padecer TCA.