This investigation is a prospective study of the development and course of nutrition-related problems in a normal adolescent population. The tong-term objective is to identify risk factors for the later development of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia or milder forms of these disturbances. Differences between those with transient maladaptive eating and mood patterns and those who develop a stable eating disorder will be examined. Groups of male and female adolescents will be followed from seventh through twelfth grade and assessed on an individual basis.
A specific aim i s to identify before the acute expression of an eating disorder particular combinations of psychological and food related factors that are linked to the later development of a disorder. Sex differences in the eventual expression of eating disturbances will be evaluated as well. Attitudes about sexuality, personality, and autonomy, perceived social support, depression, stress reactivity, and food and other substance consumption patterns will be studied through measures incorporated into two questionnaire booklets. Family processes will be measured through inventories completed in the home by a high risk and matched comparison subset of adolescents and their parents. The subset parents will be administered a diagnostic structured interview to assess the presence in the parents and other siblings of mood, substance abuse, or eating disorders. Subjects will be tested on a yearly basis. A preliminary study demonstrated a substantial prevalence of dieting, weight, and body preoccupations, and poor nutritional practices in a ninth grade population. The longitudinal design of the proposed project will enable one to identify psychological and behavioral risk factors before they are distorted by the presence of an acute problem. A long range benefit of this study is the eventual possibility of developing school-based prevention programs aimed at modifying the risk factors for eating disturbances identified in this investigation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HD024700-01A2
Application #
3325501
Study Section
Human Development and Aging Subcommittee 3 (HUD)
Project Start
1990-07-01
Project End
1995-06-30
Budget Start
1990-07-01
Budget End
1991-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
168559177
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
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Keel, P K; Klump, K L; Leon, G R et al. (1998) Disordered eating in adolescent males from a school-based sample. Int J Eat Disord 23:125-32
Leon, G R; Keel, P K; Klump, K L et al. (1997) The future of risk factor research in understanding the etiology of eating disorders. Psychopharmacol Bull 33:405-11
French, S A; Perry, C L; Leon, G R et al. (1996) Self-esteem and change in body mass index over 3 years in a cohort of adolescents. Obes Res 4:27-33
Leon, G R; Fulkerson, J A; Perry, C L et al. (1995) Prospective analysis of personality and behavioral vulnerabilities and gender influences in the later development of disordered eating. J Abnorm Psychol 104:140-9
French, S A; Perry, C L; Leon, G R et al. (1995) Changes in psychological variables and health behaviors by dieting status over a three-year period in a cohort of adolescent females. J Adolesc Health 16:438-47
French, S A; Perry, C L; Leon, G R et al. (1995) Dieting behaviors and weight change history in female adolescents. Health Psychol 14:548-55
French, S A; Perry, C L; Leon, G R et al. (1994) Weight concerns, dieting behavior, and smoking initiation among adolescents: a prospective study. Am J Public Health 84:1818-20
French, S A; Perry, C L; Leon, G R et al. (1994) Food preferences, eating patterns, and physical activity among adolescents: correlates of eating disorders symptoms. J Adolesc Health 15:286-94
Leon, G R; Fulkerson, J A; Perry, C L et al. (1993) Personality and behavioral vulnerabilities associated with risk status for eating disorders in adolescent girls. J Abnorm Psychol 102:438-44