Abnormal eating behaviors in adolescent and young adult women from southern Brazil: Reassessment after four years

Objective To investigate whether abnormal eating behaviors in young women could predict eating disorders after 4 years. Method 56 women were identified as presenting abnormal eating behaviors in a cross-sectional study (Eating Attitudes Test-26 and Edinburgh Bulimic Investigation Test). They were matched for age and neighborhood to two controls (n = 112). Four years later, they were re-assessed with the two screening questionnaires plus the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1). Results Women with abnormal eating behaviors at baseline showed a high probability of presenting abnormal eating behaviors but it was not associated with eating disorders 4 years later. They were also at higher risk for obsessive–compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and specific phobia. Discussion Abnormal eating behaviors were related to the maintenance of the disturbed behavior over the years, and were associated with increased probability for psychiatric diagnoses