title: The risks of disordered eating in Hong Kong adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the risks of disordered eating among Hong Kong adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 893 students (12-18 years old) participated in a cross-sectional study in 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students' height and weight were measured and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was completed. The risks of disordered eating were assessed by EAT-26 results and weight status. Sex differences in the risks of disordered eating were examined by logistic regression models with adjustment for age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the EAT-26 results, 18.5% of boys and 26.6% of girls were at risk of disordered eating with a significant adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.58 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.18] for sex. A significant OR of 1.60 (95%CI 1.21-2.13) for sex was also obtained when both EAT-26 results and weight status were used for the screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hong Kong adolescent girls have a higher risk of disordered eating than boys. EAT-26 results together with measured weight status are useful criteria for screening disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. kkmak@graduate.hku.hk
authors.forename: K-K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: C-M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors