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. 2019 Apr-Jun;37(2):217-224.
doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/;2019;37;2;00008. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

RISK BEHAVIOR FOR BULIMIA AMONG ADOLESCENTS

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Lorenna Mendes Temóteo Brandt  1 , Liege Helena Freitas Fernandes  1 , Amanda Silva Aragão  2 , Thayná Pinto da Costa Luna  1 , Rodrigo Macedo Feliciano  1 , Sheyla Márcia Auad  3 , Alessandro Leite Cavalcanti  1
Affiliations

RISK BEHAVIOR FOR BULIMIA AMONG ADOLESCENTS

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Lorenna Mendes Temóteo Brandt et al. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2019 Apr-Jun.

Erratum in

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To analyze the risk behavior for bulimia among female adolescents from public and private high schools.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with a random sample of 850 female students aged 15-18 years was carried out in a city in northeastern Brazil, using the Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE) to assess the risk behavior for bulimia. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and the Pearson's chi-square , Fisher's exact and robust Poisson regression tests, adopting the significance level of 5%.

Results: Less than half of the sample (42.0%) showed standards of dietary risk and weight control practices; in 1.4% of the sample, bulimia signs were already installed. Fear of gaining weight was reported by 62.8% of the subjects. Risk practices were lower among students from public schools; (Odds Ratio - OR - 0.82; confidence interval of 95% - 95%CI - 0.69-0.97). Among restrictive practices, fasting for a whole day was the most applied (29.9% of the students). Among individuals who were at risk situation, almost half believed to have normal eating habits (prevalence ratio - PR - 0.42; 95%CI 0.36-0.49). Individuals who consider their eating habits normal, who are afraid of gaining weight, those who seek emotional comfort in food and follow strict diets had higher risk for bulimia (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The number of female adolescent students with risk behavior practices for bulimia is high, and the frequency of those unaware of this situation is also very high. Risk situations emerge as a collective health problem, and individuals from private schools were more likely to be in this situation.

Objetivo:: Analisar comportamentos de risco para bulimia em adolescentes do sexo feminino de escolas públicas e particulares.

Métodos:: Estudo transversal com amostra aleatória de 850 estudantes do sexo feminino, com idades entre 15 e 18 anos, realizado em cidade do Nordeste do Brasil, utilizando o Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE) para avaliar comportamentos de risco para transtornos alimentares. Os dados foram analisados utilizando o teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson, o teste exato de Fisher e a regressão de Poisson, com o software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), adotando o nível de significância de p<0,05.

Resultados:: Da amostra estudada, 42,0% apresentou padrões de risco e práticas de dieta e controle de peso e 1,4% já apresentava sinais de bulimia instalados. O medo de ganhar peso foi relatado por 62,8% das adolescentes. As práticas de risco foram menos frequentes em estudantes de escolas públicas (Odds Ratio - OR - 0,82; intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% - 0,69-0,97). Entre as práticas restritivas, jejum por um dia inteiro foi o mais aplicado pelas participantes (29,9%). Entre os indivíduos com situação de risco, quase metade acreditava ter hábitos alimentares normais (razão de prevalência - RP - 0,42; IC95% 0,36-0,49). Estudantes que consideram seus hábitos alimentares normais, que têm medo de ganhar peso, que procuram conforto emocional em alimentos e seguem dietas rigorosas tiveram maior risco para bulimia (p<0,05).

Conclusões:: O número de estudantes com práticas de comportamento de risco para bulimia é alto, e o número daquelas que desconhecem essa situação também é muito alto. As situações de risco emergem como problemas de saúde coletiva, e indivíduos de escolas particulares são mais propensos a apresentar transtornos alimentares.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: The authors declare no conflict of interests.

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