Disordered eating: young women's search for control and connection.
OBJECTIVE
Approximately 5% of American women suffer from eating disorders and scores more exhibit signs of disordered eating. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of disordered eating in adolescence.


METHODS
Grounded theory method was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 college women to explore their experiences with disordered eating.


RESULTS
Choosing disordered eating behaviors as a method of control occurred when the young women lacked connected and close relationships with others. Conversely, when meaningful relationships were present in their lives, the dysfunction abated.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial and dietary assessments are necessary to identify youngsters without connected relationships and/or predispositions to disordered eating.
Budd
Geraldine
G
School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D012931:Social Environment; D015431:Weight Loss