Incidence, prevalence, and risk of eating disorder behaviors in military academy cadets.
Eating disorders are a particular problem for college students, as well as college athletes and military personnel. We examined the incidence, prevalence, and risk of eating disorders at the United States Military Academy (USMA) over a 7-year period (total population 12,731 cadets). The incidence per year for females was 0.02% for anorexia, 0.17% for bulimia, and 0.17% for eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and for males was 0.0% for anorexia, 0.003% for bulimia, and 0.02% for eating disorders not otherwise specified. The total prevalence of diagnosed eating disorders for females was 5% and for males was 0.1%. For females over the 7-year period, we found a prevalence of 0.2% for anorexia, 1.2% for bulimia, 1.2% for eating disorders not otherwise specified, and for males we found a prevalence of 0.0% for anorexia, 0.02% for bulimia, and 0.03% for eating disorders not otherwise specified. Nineteen percent of females and 2% of males scored a 20 or higher on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT)-26 survey indicating they were at risk for developing an eating disorder. We conclude that the prevalence of eating disorders at USMA is comparable to civilian colleges.
Beekley
Matthew D
MD
United States Military Academy, Department of Physical Education, Center for Personal Development, Mologne Cadet Health Clinic, United States Corps of Cadets, Office of Public Affairs, West Point, NY 10996, USA.
Byrne
Robert
R
Yavorek
Trudy
T
Kidd
Kelli
K
Wolff
Janet
J
Johnson
Michael
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011592:Psychology, Military; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult