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Eating Attitudes and Behaviours in South African Adolescents and Young Adults

University of Chicago

Johann Louw

University of Cape Town

Basil Russell

University of Cape Town

Tanya Nel

University of Cape Town

Christine Silkstone

University of Cape Town

We examined the presence and severity of disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in a group of 895 South Africans. The Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE) and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE), were administered to high-school and college students (515 White, 126 Black, and 254 ‘Coloured’). There were few differences between these three groups on measures of eating disorder pathology and self-esteem. A small number of participants (3.5%) were identified as at ‘high risk’ for an eating disorder as shown by scores in the clinical range for both the EAT-26 and BITE. Weight, self-esteem and age were predictors for this subgroup. This study suggests that ethnicity per se may not ‘protect’ against the development of disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in nonwestern black populations. These findings remain tentative until future survey studies employ interviews to confirm eating disorder diagnosis.

Key Words: adolescents • eating attitudes • eating behaviours • self-esteem • South Africa • young adults

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