Early menarche is associated with disordered eating-results from a National Youth Survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Disordered eating (DE) is highly prevalent among adolescents, though its definition varies. The association between DE and early pubertal maturation (EPM) remains underexplored in Israel, and has not been sufficiently examined using the widely-used SCOFF questionnaire. This study examines these associations in adolescents.

Methods

Participants (n = 2415 girls, 2095 boys; ages 12-18 years) in a nationally-representative, cross-sectional Youth Health and Nutrition Survey (2015-2016) completed self-administered questionnaires, including the SCOFF questionnaire, and underwent anthropometric measurements. EPM was determined by menarcheal age <11.5 years in girls, and facial hair appearance <12.5 years in boys. Respondents affirming ≥2 SCOFF items were classified as DE

SUBMITTER: Iron-Segev S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12507651 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature