title: Prevalence of eating disorders and picking/nibbling in elderly women.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the point prevalence of eating disorders and picking/nibbling in elderly women.
  
  
  
  This was a two-stage epidemiological study that assessed 342 women aged 65-94 years old. In Stage 1, the following screening measures were used to identify possible cases: the Mini-Mental State Examination, to screen and exclude patients with cognitive impairment; Weight Concerns Scale; SCOFF (Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food) Questionnaire; Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-dietary restraint subscale; and three questions to screen for picking/nibbling and night eating syndrome. Women selected for Stage 2 (n = 118) were interviewed using the diagnostic items of the Eating Disorder Examination.
  
  
  
  According to the DSM-5, the prevalence of all eating disorders was 3.25% (1.83-5.7, 95% C.I.). Prevalence of binge-eating disorder was 1.68% (0.82-3.82, 95% C.I.), of other specified feeding or eating disorders was 1.48% (0.63-3.42, 95% C.I.), and of bulimia nervosa 0.3% (.05-1.7, 95% C.I.)]. Binge-eating episodes were reported by 5.62% of women. No cases of anorexia nervosa or night eating syndrome were identified. The prevalence of picking/nibbling was 18.9%. Picking/nibbling was associated with increased body mass index (t(322) = -3.28, p < .001) and binge-eating episodes (χ2(1) = 5.65, p < .017).
  
  
  
  Prevalence rates of eating disorders on elderly Portuguese women were comparable to those found on young women. Our data support the literature that suggests that binge-eating disorder is particularly prevalent in older adults. Picking/nibbling was the most prevalent eating behavior and we provide further evidence for its association with weight and disordered eating.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Conceição
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fabiana V S
authors.initials: FVS
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinto-Bastos
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo P P
authors.initials: PPP
authors.lastname: Machado
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004032:Diet; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: binge-eating episodes; eating disorders; elderly women; picking/nibbling; prevalence