Epidemiology and risk factors of eating disorders: A two-stage epidemiologic study in a Spanish population aged 12-18 years

Objective The authors studied the prevalence rates of eating disorders (ED) and their risk factors in a Spanish population aged 12–18 years. Method A two-stage epidemiologic study was conducted in the province of Valencia. Educational centers, classrooms, and individuals were selected randomly. The initial sample comprised 544 subjects. During Stage 1, subjects were screened with the 40-item Eating Attitude Test and a sociodemographic questionnaire that evaluates risk factors. During Stage 2, a semistandardized clinical interview was conducted with each participant. A random control group was paired by class, age, and sex. Comorbid psychiatric disorders and partial and subclinical forms wer…