Bulimia nervosa: Prevalence and psychological correlates in a college community

A questionnaire survey was distributed to 273 female, undergraduate students at a private, liberal arts college (94.1% response rate) to determine the prevalence of bulimia nervosa, as defined by DSM-III-R criteria. In addition, several psychological traits of participants meeting the criteria were compared with a control group and a group of bingers and vomiters of subclinical severity. Results of the study indicated that 11.3% (n = 28) of the student population surveyed met the DSM-III-R criteria for bulimia nervosa. Individuals with bulimia nervosa reported significantly more depression, loneliness, and anxiety, and lower self-esteem, as well as significantly greater concerns about body-shape and size compared to both other groups. A discriminant function analysis isolated three variables (concerns about body shape, self-esteem, and loneliness) that were highly successful (91.2% correctly classified) in predicting group membership. The results emphasize the importance of overconcern with body shape and weight in the syndrome of bulimia nervosa.