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Previous studies have demonstrated that age, sex, teasing about weight, the media, and parental history of an eating disorder are risk factors for eating disorders in children. In a prospective cohort study, researchers examined whether any of these risk factors are independently associated with starting to binge, purge, or both. About 7000 girls and 5500 boys aged 9 to 15 years at baseline received a questionnaire every 12 to 18 months for 7 years as part of the Growing Up Today Study. During the study, 10% of girls and 3% of boys reported either bingeing or purging at least once per week. Bingeing was slightly less prevalent than purging among girls (4.3% vs. 5.3%) and more prevalent than purging in boys (2.1% vs. 0.8%).
Predictors of bing…