OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between frequency of body dissatisfaction and symptoms of eating disorders in adolescents. METHODS: The study was conducted with a sample of 300 adolescents of both sexes, aged from 10 to 17 years-old, students from a state school in Recife, Brazil. Authors used the Brazilian version of three self-report questionnaires for adolescents (EAT-26, BITE and BSQ), and a questionnaire containing biodemographical data. RESULTS: The frequency of symptoms of eating disorders detected by the EAT-26 was 32.3%; 2.3% for suggestive behaviors of bulimia nervosa, through BITE, and 36.67% of the students presented an unusual eating pattern; 5.6% showed body dissatisfaction, and 66.3%, showed normality in relation to its body form. CONCLUSION: These adolescents had higher levels of change in body self-image, with high frequency of body dissatisfaction, that suggest and association with inappropriate eating behaviors.
Eating disorders; body dissatisfaction; adolescent
