Prevalence of Eating Disorder Risk and Associations with Health-related Quality of Life: Results from a Large School-based Population Screening

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of eating disorder (ED) risk as well as associated psychopathology and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in a large population sample of Austrian adolescents.

Method: A sample of 3610 adolescents aged 10-18 years was recruited from 261 schools representative for the Austrian population. The SCOFF questionnaire was used to identify participants at risk for EDs, and the Youth Self-Report and KIDSCREEN were used to assess general psychopathology and HrQoL.

Results: In total, 30.9% of girls and 14.6% of boys were screened at risk for EDs. SCOFF scores were significantly associated with internalising and externalising behavioural problems as well as HrQoL after controlling for sex, age and body mass index. The SCOFF score further turned out to be an independent predictor of HrQoL.

Discussion: The high prevalence of ED risk among Austrian adolescents points out the need for prevention in this field. Variables indicating eating pathology should be included in general mental health screenings.

Keywords: SCOFF screening; adolescents; disordered eating behaviour; prevalence.