Background: In the Abruzzo’s Region on the 6 April 2009 occurred a catastrophic earthquake, which divided the population into a natural cohort of subjects exposed to the event in the internal area of the territory and a not exposed fraction of the population in the coastal area. The present cross-sectional research has been devoted to get a general profile of the adolescents (13-14 years old) risk of eating disorders. These issues are of interest especially with known eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating syndrome. Methods: The analysis has been carried out using the EDI-3 questionnaire’ scales on the risk of eating disorders behaviours (EDBR), administered by specifically trained psychologists. The sample included 434 school students with an age of 13/14 years old (50.46% boys, 49.54% girls). Data have been analysed using a twoway, fixed effects, MANOVA design, comparing the adolescents’ profiles between boys and girls exposed and not exposed to the earthquake. A principal component analysis (PCA) provided an importance ordering of the EDI-3 scales between boys and girls. Statistically significant differences have been detected between eating risk profiles. The study highlighted important aspects in terms of Public Health management and decision making. Some indicators coming from the psychological scales suggest a propensity to specific forms of psychological risk and eating behaviour higher in the inland areas. Practical implications of the survey conducted are the statistical evidence of two structured cluster of psychological risk profile associated with EDBR and the concurrent validity with previous longitudinal studies.

Eating Disorders Risk Profiles in the Adolescents in the Abruzzo's Region in Italy: a Cross-Sectional Survey in the Aftermath of an Earthquake

Francesco, Masedu;Marco, Valenti;Maria Chiara, Pino;Mazza, Monica
2016-01-01

Abstract

Background: In the Abruzzo’s Region on the 6 April 2009 occurred a catastrophic earthquake, which divided the population into a natural cohort of subjects exposed to the event in the internal area of the territory and a not exposed fraction of the population in the coastal area. The present cross-sectional research has been devoted to get a general profile of the adolescents (13-14 years old) risk of eating disorders. These issues are of interest especially with known eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating syndrome. Methods: The analysis has been carried out using the EDI-3 questionnaire’ scales on the risk of eating disorders behaviours (EDBR), administered by specifically trained psychologists. The sample included 434 school students with an age of 13/14 years old (50.46% boys, 49.54% girls). Data have been analysed using a twoway, fixed effects, MANOVA design, comparing the adolescents’ profiles between boys and girls exposed and not exposed to the earthquake. A principal component analysis (PCA) provided an importance ordering of the EDI-3 scales between boys and girls. Statistically significant differences have been detected between eating risk profiles. The study highlighted important aspects in terms of Public Health management and decision making. Some indicators coming from the psychological scales suggest a propensity to specific forms of psychological risk and eating behaviour higher in the inland areas. Practical implications of the survey conducted are the statistical evidence of two structured cluster of psychological risk profile associated with EDBR and the concurrent validity with previous longitudinal studies.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11697/113432
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