This study examined the willingness to eat contaminated food and odd food combinations in 50 adolescents and adults with Prader-Willi syndrome and controls (some matched for IQ). Although Prader-Willi subjects and mentally retarded controls showed similar understandings about food, the Prader-Willi subjects endorsed eating contaminated food as…

This study examined packing (pocketing or holding accepted food in the mouth) in 3 children who were failing to thrive or had inadequate weight gain due to insufficient caloric intake. The results of an analysis of texture indicated that total grams consumed were higher when lower textured foods were presented than when higher textured foods were…

Two studies explored whether intuitive eating (i.e., eating based on physiological hunger and satiety cues rather than situational and emotional cues) is a distinct construct from low levels of eating disorder (ED) symptomatology among college women. Previous research has demonstrated that high levels of ED symptomatology are related to lower…

The current study examined patterns of association among mutuality, self-silencing, and disordered eating in an ethnically diverse sample of college women (N = 149). Partner mutuality and overall self-silencing were negatively correlated and together were associated with six disordered eating indices. All four self-silencing subscales were…

This study explored the weight management practices, rates overweight and obesity, perceptions of body weight, and weight management goals in a large sample (N = 467) of Hispanic (n = 421) and Anglo (n = 46) female college students on the U.S.-Mexico border. Women self-reported their height and weight, weight perceptions, and weight management…

Examined whether variability in cognitive and emotional reactions to binges accounts for recurrence of binge eating. Evaluated attributional, cognitive, and affective reactions to 2 successive binges among 50 nonpurging normal-weight female bingers. Analyses suggest that cognitive states evoked by particular events were better predictors of how…

Draws on the author's own experiences to look at several adolescent novels that treat the problem of eating disorders. Appends a four-item annotated bibliography of other young adult novels portraying characters with eating disorders. (RS)

Previous research on gender differences between males and females on the risk factors leading to disordered eating is sparse, especially on males and eating disorders using attachment theory. This study examined the relationship between adult attachment style and disordered eating in men and women. Secure attachment scores were significantly…

Objective: Thin body preoccupation and social pressure to be thin (TBPSP) in adolescence are risk factors for the development of full and partial bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. This study examined precursors of these potent risk factors. Method: A prospective study followed 134 children from birth to 11.0 years and their parents.…

To examine the eating-related cognitions and behaviors of college-age women who had experienced parental death, parental divorce, or neither loss condition, we recruited 48 women from science and social science departments at a state university in the Southeast. All participants completed the Mizes Anorectic Cognitions Scale (MAC) and the Bulimia…

In this book, group work and college counseling leaders offer step-by-step instruction in the effective use and processing of structured group activities on topics such as test anxiety; stress and anxiety management; ADHD; career development; substance abuse; eating disorders; and the unique concerns faced by GLBT students, first-generation…

This study examined the dual roles of continued close ties with the Cuban community and culture of origin, as well as influences of print and broadcast media, in the development of attitudes toward both type and propensity toward eating disorders among young Cuban-American women. Continued exclusive or primary use of Spanish language in the home,…

A study of 41 adults with mental retardation (11 with Prader-Willi syndrome and 30 with mental retardation due to other causes--13 overweight and 17 with normal weight) sought to determine differences in food preferences. While controls selected sweet food over larger quantities of unpreferred food, individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome selected…

Analysis of family perceptions of 22 daughters (age 15) with and 88 daughters without maladaptive eating attitudes showed that daughters with maladaptive attitudes reported problems with fathers on communication, problem solving, autonomy, and expression of warmth and problems with their mothers in communication and expression of warmth. Parents…

Schools can help in reducing the prevalence of eating disorders among young people by educating students, teachers, and other staff members; using community resources; and providing parents with the reassurance that help is available for the asking. A sidebar lists resources for more information on eating disorders. (MLF)