title: [Prevalence of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders in adolescent girls in Reus (Spain)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eating disorders are characterized by changes in eating patterns associated with a series of psychosocial conflicts, low self-esteem and poor empathy, and an obsession with slimming.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the present study were: 1. To determinate the prevalence of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders in a representative sample of adolescent girls between the ages of 12 and 21 living in the city of Reus (Spain). 2. To evaluate the association between eating disorders and alterations on the Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40), Body Attitudes Test (BAT), and the Aesthetic Body Shape Questionnaire (CIMEC).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional observational study in a random sample of adolescent girls aged between 12 and 21 years old. Information was gathered from a structured questionnaire on demographic and anthropometric factors (age, place of birth, education, etc.), clinical examination, clinical interview, DMS-IV diagnostic criteria, and three self-administered tests: EAT-40, BAT and CIMEC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 551 adolescents were analyzed. The mean age was 17.6+/-2.5 years. Diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa were found in 0.9% (95% CI: 0.4-2.4), bulimia nervosa in 2.9% (95% CI: 1.7-4.7), and other eating disorders in 5.3% (95% CI: 3.6-7.5). The test showing the greatest alterations was the CIMEC (38%), followed by the BAT (27.1%) and EAT-40 (23.1%). All the adolescents that met the diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa showed alterations in all three tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence of eating disorders indicates the need for greater direct involvement among health professionals. The EAT-40, BAT and CIMEC are effective screening instruments for these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Atención Primaria Reus-Altebrat, Reus, Tarragona, España. molesti.tarte.ics@gencat.net
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olesti Baiges
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Piñol Moreso
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martín Vergara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de la Fuente García
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riera Solé
authors.forename: J Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bofarull Bosch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ricomá de Castellarnau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology