DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

These studies are cross-sectional and therefore do not assess the progression of symptoms
over time. They do not use structured diagnostic interviews to diagnose eating disorders,
but instead use self-report measures which may lead to an underestimation of symptoms
of eating disorders.
Disordered eating in adolescents
Epidemiological data suggest that the period of peak risk for developing eating disorders
and disordered eating is during adolescence and early adulthood (Hudson, Hiripi, Pope,
and Kessler, 2007). Early adolescence has been identified as a vulnerable time for girls to
develop disordered eating or eating disorders because of the normative challenges
associated with that period of development (e.g., physical changes associated with
puberty, increased desire for peer acceptance and onset of dating), (Smolak, Levine, &
Striegel-Moore, 1996). It is therefore considered important for research in the area of
eating to explore this age group, (e.g. Jones et al, 2001).
The studies identified below have looked at non-clinical samples of adolescent females
from secondary schools. Studying disordered eating behaviours, instead of looking for
eating disorders per se, and using non clinical samples of adolescents has enabled
researchers to consider the consequences of disordered eating during adolescence. In
addition it may allow for a transdiagnostic perspective where processes involved (e.g.
emotional) can be considered across eating problems.
The utility of studying disordered eating will be explored below in presenting the studies
that have looked at the effects of disordered eating in adolescent females.
Why is disordered eating a problem worth studying?
The behaviours involved in disordered eating have been found to lead to negative
outcomes.
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