Prognosis of adolescent partial syndromes of eating disorder

Abstract

Background: Partial syndromes of eating disorder are common in adolescents but the health significance of these syndromes remains uncertain. Aims: To document the health and social adjustment in young adulthood of females assessed as having a partial syndrome of eating disorder in adolescence. Method: A community sample of 1943 participants was tracked over 10 years in an eight-wave cohort study. A partial syndrome was defined as the fulfilment of at least two DSM-IV criteria for either anorexia or bulimia nervosa at one assessment or more between the ages of 15 years and 17 years. Results: Partial syndromes were found in 9.4% of 15- to 17-year-old female participants and 1.4% of males. Ther..