Eating disorder symptom trajectories in adolescence: effects of time, participant sex, and early adolescent depressive symptoms

Table 2 Eating disorder symptoms and body mass index by time, for female participants (n = 703)

	14 yrs	17 yrs	20 yrs	p
Body mass index (M [SD])	21.49 (4.16)_a	23.11 (4.51)_b	24.37 (5.21)_c	<.001
Global symptoms (M [SD])	0.61 (0.54)_a	0.82 (0.64)_b	0.66 (0.50)_a	<.001
Objective binge eating (% yes)	38.5% (n = 271)_a	36.8% (n = 259)	43.4% (n = 305)_b	<.001
Purging (% yes)	3.7% (n = 26)_a	13.5% (n = 95)_b	14.0% (n = 98)_b	<.001
Fasting (% yes)	16.4% (n = 115)_a	26.5% (n = 186)_b	19.5% (n = 137)_a	<.001
Dietary rules (% yes)	33.6% (n = 236)	35.0% (n = 246)	41.0% (n = 288)	.063
Hard exercise (% yes)	56.8% (n = 399)_a	64.2% (n = 451)_b	69.4% (n = 488)_b	<.001

Note. Global symptoms refer to a global index of dietary restraint and eating, weight and shape concerns.
p values and column subscripts denote significant differences over time, as identified through generalised estimating equations or linear mixed models. Columns with different subscripts differ significantly at p < .05.
a,b,c indicate significant differences over time.

ISSN: 2050-2974