Sex differences in health-related quality of life impairment associated with eating disorder features: a general population study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine sex differences in the prevalence and impact of specific eating disorder features on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).


METHODS
A general population sample of men (n = 1,479) and women (n = 1,555) completed interviews that assessed HRQoL (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, SF-36), and current regular occurrence of binge eating, extreme dietary restriction, purging, and overevaluation of weight or shape.


RESULTS
Men constituted a substantial minority (23-41%) of participants reporting eating disorder features. Objective binge eating had a greater impact on mental health impairment in men versus women, whereas the overevaluation of weight or shape had a greater impact on general and mental health impairment in women compared with men.


CONCLUSIONS
Eating disorder features that impact on HRQoL are now common in men; however, the impact of specific features may differ between sexes.
School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. debbie.mitchison@gmail.com
Deborah
D
Mitchison
Jonathan
J
Mond
Shameran
S
Slewa-Younan
Phillipa
P
Hay
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics