Eating Disorders and Disturbance in Children and Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

People with cystic fibrosis are considered at risk for developing anorexia (Raymond et al., 2000 Raymond, N., Chang, P., Crow, S., Mitchell, J., Dieperink, B.Beck, M. 2000. Eating disorders in patients with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Adolescences., 23: 359–363. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), but studies have used methodologically flawed measures. Using improved methodology, the current study examines the prevalence of eating disorders/disturbance in adolescents with CF. Method: 55 adolescents with CF, age range 11–17 years (mean 14.2 years) randomly selected were administered the Child Eating Disorder Examination (Bryant-Waugh, Cooper, Taylor, & Lask, 1996 Bryant-Waugh, R., Cooper, P., Taylor, C. and Lask, B. 1996. The use of the Eating Disorder Examination with children: A pilot study. International Journal of Eating Disorders., 19: 391–497. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Results: No participant met full criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia. Of those with a BMI ≤ 17.5, 5% avoided weight gain. Fifty-three percent demonstrated disturbed eating attitudes and 16% disturbed eating behaviours. Discussion: The study finds that gold standard diagnostic methods indicate the prevalence of disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors in CF.