Bulimic symptoms in adolescent girls and boys.
OBJECTIVE
The factor structure of the Bulimic Investigatory Test (BITE) was examined in adolescent girls and boys.


METHODS
Seven hundred and seventy seven adolescents (427 girls and 350 boys) completed the BITE.


RESULTS
Consistent with the original scale, one factor describing overall bulimic symptoms was found for the girls. However, two factors were required to summarize the boys' symptoms: "Emotional and Rigid/Disruptive Eating Style" and "Food Preoccupation and Binging."


CONCLUSIONS
The results are discussed in relation to Fairburn's (Fairburn. (1995). Overcoming Binge Eating. New York: Guilford) distinction which separates problem from nonproblem binge eating. Further studies are now needed to examine the mechanisms underlying the development of bulimic eating in boys and young men.
Ricciardelli
L A
LA
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. lina@deakin.edu.au
Williams
R J
RJ
Kiernan
M J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors