The Concurrence of Eating Disorders with Histories of Child Abuse Among Adolescents

This study examined the relationship between eating disorders and reported history of physical or sexual abuse among male and female adolescents. A survey administered to high school students in a rural midwestern slate school system contained questions on eating behaviors, weight, lifestyle habits, parental substance abuse, and history of physical abuse, extrafamilial sex abuse and incest. Results showed that eating disorders were correlated with all three types of abuse. There were differences in prevalence of eating and weight problems and of child abuse according to gender and race. Presence of an eating disorder correlated with presence of other addictive behaviors, family history of substance abuse, and with low selfesteem, hopelessness and anxiety.