Prevalência de transtorno alimentar e fatores associados em atletas adolescentes

Prevalence of eating disorder and associated factors in adolescent athletes

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of suggestive eating disorders in adolescent male athletes of São Paulo, relating to
socioeconomic status, body image, puberty stage and anthropometric measures. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive,
observational, prospective study with non-probabilistic sample convenience using self-administered tests that assess eating  behavior and body image distortion; the socioeconomic status of the sample, besides anthropometric measurements and
pubertal stage were evaluated. Descriptive and gross analysis between tests was performed; the independent variables were
analyzed by univariate logistic regression. Results: 60 subjects participated in the study, mean age 13.6 years (SD ± 1.99).
The prevalence of risk for bulimia nervosa was 15% and 6.7% for anorexia nervosa. It was found that the stage of sexual
maturation (p<0.02 ) and the score on a scale of body image (p<0.000 ) were related to the risk for anorexia nervosa (p<
0.05). Individuals belonging to the class C had 10% more chance to develop a disorder. There was association between
body image dissatisfaction with bulimia nervosa. Postpubertal boys were 2.7 times more likely to develop the disorder.
The height/age index was 21% more likely to develop the disorder and the percentage of fat 3%. Conclusion: Attention is
drawn to the prevalence of eating disorders in adolescent athletes, especially the relationship with sexual maturation, body
image, socioeconomic status and anthropometry.