WIP 3 - Prevalence and Risk Factors of Disordered Eating Behaviors in Military Dependent Adolescents

Poster Number: WIP 3
Publication Number: WIP 3.713

Background: Eating disorders are increasing in prevalence and have adverse health effects, but remain underdiagnosed. Active duty (AD) military personnel and individuals with obesity have a higher prevalence of disordered eating behavior (DEB) than the general population. In addition, unlike the general population, AD males have similar risk of DEB to females. Military dependent females and dependents with overweight/obesity also have a higher prevalence of DEB. However, the prevalence of DEB in the general military dependent adolescent population, and the effect of obesity and gender differences on this relationship, are unknown.

Objective: Estimate DEB prevalence in military dependent adolescents compared to the general adolescent population and investigate whether female gender and obesity are associated with higher DEB risk.

Design/Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of military dependents aged 11–19 years seen in the adolescent clinic at a naval medical center for routine health encounters. We are excluding patients presenting for acute concerns or mental health diagnoses, and patients with diabetes mellitus or significant developmental delay. The study is IRB approved and is exempt from obtaining informed consent and assent. Based on power calculations, our goal sample size is 85; to date we have collected data from 69 participants and will complete data collection by December 2023. We are collecting data from electronic health records retrospectively, including demographic information and responses to the ChEAT-26 questionnaire, a validated eating disorder screening tool that is conducted at annual routine health encounters in the clinic. A score of ≥18 on the ChEAT-26 defines a positive DEB screen. We will compare DEB prevalence to the general adolescent population (p0 10% based on what is reported) using a one-sample z-test of proportions (p1 estimated at 20%) and estimate the difference in DEB risk by obesity and gender using multivariable generalized linear models. We anticipate data analysis to be completed by February 2024.