Authors (including presenting author) :
Vivien MW YU(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Dietetics, Hong Kong West Cluster
Introduction :
Eating Disorders (EDs) are associated with thoughts and emotions leading to disturbances of eating behaviors which can be severe, persistent and distressing, resulting in psychological and medical complications. We sought to identify common, self-reported triggers for anorexia nervosa (AN) development in youth. We also examined socio-demographic and weight-related factors associated with increased risk of certain triggers in this population.
Objectives :
The purposes of this paper are to systematically identify the possible triggers for EDs in youth, and what socio-demographic and weight-related factors can potentially lead to higher risk of these triggers.
Methodology :
We conducted a retrospective medical record review of youth admitted for medical treatment of AN between January 2020 and November 2024. From multidisciplinary admission notes, we extracted patients and/or their parent(s)’ reported reasons for diet/exercise changes. After using qualitative thematic analysis to identify ED triggers, we then categorized each trigger as binary variables (presence/absence) for logistic regression analysis of risk associated with each trigger.
Result & Outcome :
Of 37 patients, the mean (SD) age was 14.1 (±1.7) years. A total of 34 (92%) were female and 34 (92%) were Chinese. Seven main triggers were identified: 30% of patients reported experiencing environmental changes; 29% reported external comments on the way they looked or positive reinforcement following weight loss; 29% stated it was their own internal perception about their weight and body shape; 19% experienced weight-related teasing; 17% reported initially changing their physical activity for a sport; 14% said they received education about healthy food, exercise, or lifestyle habits, and 11% reported mood changes.
Younger age was associated with higher odds of weight-related teasing (p=0.04) and health education (p=0.03). Males had greater odds of internal perception about their weight and shape than females (p=0.04). Those with pre-morbid body mass indices ≥75th percentile for age and sex had greater odds of reporting positive reinforcement (p=0.03) and weight-related teasing (p=0.04) than those with weight < 75th percentile.
Our results suggest that individuals may experience various types of triggers for their ED behaviors. Those who are younger may be especially vulnerable to messaging via health education and weight-related teasing. Continued assessment of our listed ED prevention areas of focus and the risk factors for ED onset will greatly guide preventive efforts and improve treatment approaches.
