Prevalence of eating disorders in Latina adolescents: associations with substance use and other correlates.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the occurrence and correlates of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa-related symptoms in a Latina sample of U.S. adolescents.


METHODS
Approximately 1866 Latinas ranging in age from 11-20 years old are included in this study. These adolescents are a sub-sample from the National Longitudinal Survey on Adolescent Health. Along with self-reports of eating disorder-related variables, we measured related biological, contextual, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates, including use of various substances.


CONCLUSIONS
Chi-square analysis showed the prevalence in all Latina sub-groups was relatively consistent with the U.S. trends. Latinas of higher socioeconomic status were more at risk for eating disorders. Body dissatisfaction, negative affectivity, substance use, and low self-esteem were all positively correlated with eating disorder symptoms. These results suggest screening and treatment services are needed across groups of Latina adolescents.
Granillo
Teresa
T
Psychology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Jones-Rodriguez
Gina
G
Carvajal
Scott C
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology