Dietitians: are they a risk group for eating disorders?

Abstract

The present study examined the eating behaviour and eating disorders of Austrian dietitians. Questionnaires were distributed to 500 Austrian dietitians and completed by 320 (64 per cent) subjects. Of the entire sample, 21 (6.6 per cent) of the dietitians were underweight, more than two-thirds normal in weight, and 40 (12.3 per cent) overweight, while 24 (7.5 per cent) met the EDI criteria for being at risk for developing an eating disorder. The prevalence rates of eating disorders in the past or present were 2.5 per cent (n=8) for anorexia nervosa and 3.4 per cent (n=11) for bulimia nervosa. Of the 40 overweight dietitians, six (15 per cent) met the diagnostic criteria for binge eating syndrome. The findings show that, on the one hand, dietitians are quite similar in their weight, eating attitudes and eating behaviour to other women, and that, on the other hand, some dietitians may be considered at risk for developing eating disorders or having an eating disorder. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.