Eating disturbances among American minority groups: a review.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper was to review the research literature related to eating behaviors and disturbances among American minority groups.


METHODS
A computer-based literature search was conducted to locate articles pertaining to this topic.


RESULTS
This review indicates that, compared to Caucasian females, eating disturbances are equally common among Hispanic females, more frequent among Native Americans, and less frequent among Black and Asian American females. Risk factors for eating disorders (EDs) are greater among minority females who are younger, heavier, better educated, and more identified with White, middle-class values.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies of EDs among American minority groups are needed, especially studies that are longitudinal and developmental in nature and that focus more specifically on the effects of racism in the development of EDs.
Crago
M
M
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, USA.
Shisslak
C M
CM
Estes
L S
LS
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology