FC26-01 - Are eccentric eating habits a manifestation of an underlying eating disorder?

Abstract

Introduction

Eccentric eating habits (EEH) represent various unusual eating habits that have been widely documented. The estimates about its prevalence range from 20 to 70% depending on the defining criteria. There is disagreement about the nature of EEH, whether it represents a pathology that may develop into an ED or just fussy habits.

Objectives

To examine whether tendencies for EEH are a manifestation of an underlying tendency for EDs.

Aims

To test the hypothesis that a high level of EEH will be related to high scores on the Cognitive Orientation Questionnaire of Eating Disorders (COQ-EDs) which represents tendencies shared by the major EDs and assesses the underlying motivations for EDs.

Methods

Participants were 340 high school students (52% girls, 48% boys), 16–18 years old, from three different schools. They were administered the questionnaire of EEH, the COQ-EDs and the EAT 26 which assesses clinically significant EDs.

Results

Analyses of variance showed significant differences in the COQ-EDs scores between three groups: high scorers on EAT 26, high EEH scorers and low EEH scorers, especially between the first and the last two. A stepwise discriminant analysis provided correct identification of group membership in 77.9% (versus 33% expected by chance).

Conclusions

The findings disconfirmed the hypothesis. EEH differs from tendencies for actual EDs. In the worst case they may be a mild form of EDs. It is doubtful whether it is necessary or desirable to treat EEH.