Factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes and behavios: Screening individuals at risk of developing an eating disorder

The present study was concerned with the identification of individuals at risk of developing an eating disorder. Two sets of hypothesized risk factors were examined: general “dissatisfaction and loss of control” combined with “perfectionism” (as measured by the SCANS questionnaire) and “body dissatisfaction” (as measured by the Body Satisfaction Scale, or BSS). Subjects scoring above the critical cut-off points on the SCANS were found to score significantly higher on all of the measures derived from the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and, on interview, on measures of “food avoidance” and “preoccupation with weight” when compared with subjects who scored below the SCANS cut-offs. Subjects who showed significant body dissatisfaction did not differ on as many factors concerning abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors compared with individuals who were more satisfied with their body image. Of 38 subjects interviewed, five were judged to exhibit a “partial syndrome” of anorexia nervosa.