The Eating Attitudes and Behaviours of Asian and British Schoolgirls: a Pilot Study

Abstract

This study set out to examine dietary, weight and eating attitudes of 12-18 year old British and Asian girls. Ninety-six subjects from a state school completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Binge Eating Questionnaire (BEQ) and a questionnaire concerning the perceived level of integration into British society. The mean EAT-26 score was higher than any other study has found using a school population. No significant correlation was found between age and EAT-26 score, and there was no significant difference between the Asian and British mean EAT-26 scores. The EAT-26 scores were not significantly higher in girls from families of higher socioeconomic class compared to those from lower socioeconomic class. There was however some support for the prediction that resentment in the Asian girls was expressed in higher EAT-26 scores. No significant group difference was found between Asian and British girls with regard to vomiting behaviour. The results are discussed in terms of the literature on eating disorders.