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- Title
Secret Patterns: Validation of a Screening Tool to Detect Bulimia.
- Authors
Freund, Karen M.; Boss, Renee D.; Handleman, Elizabeth K.; Smith, Alma Dell
- Abstract
The article presents a study which evaluated a two-item screening tool ("Do you ever eat in secret?" and "Are you satisfied with your eating patterns?") for bulimia. Bulimia affects 1-4% of young women and is associated with significant emotional and physical problems. Unlike anorexia, which is characterized by very low weight, bulimia often goes undetected from lack of distinguishing physical signs. The goal of this study was to prospectively validate this screening tool for disordered eating behaviors among new patients seeking care at a primary care practice. The presence of bulimia, in this study, was assessed in two ways. The first measure was the DSM-III-R criteria for current bulimia. These criteria are the most widely recognized criteria to establish the diagnosis of bulimia and, given the level of symptomatology required, are unlikely to produce false positive results. The validation results were dependent on which gold standard was used. The validation of this screening tool suggests that a majority of women suffering from disordered eating patterns could be detected more effectively by their healthcare providers.
- Subjects
BULIMIA; YOUNG women; SYMPTOMS; WOMEN; EATING disorders; PRIMARY care
- Publication
Journal of Women's Health & Gender-Based Medicine, 1999, Vol 8, Issue 10, p1281
- ISSN
1524-6094
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1089/jwh.1.1999.8.1281