Screening for eating disorders in adolescents

Background: Eating disorders are psychiatric conditions characterized by disordered eating behaviors and distorted body image perceptions, predominantly diagnosed in adolescent females. Objective: to screen adolescents for eating disorders using the SCOFF questionnaire. Method: After obtaining a Parental Written Informed Consent from parents or guardians and an Adolescent Written Informed Assent from adolescents, the SCOFF questionnaire was administered to adolescents aged 12 to 18 of both genders attending two public elementary and high schools. Subsequently, the following variables were analyzed: SCOFF score, gender, age and BMI. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Western Paraná State University under protocol number 6.917.028/2024. Results: A total of 581 questionnaires were administered, of which 60 (10.3%) were excluded due to incomplete answers, while 521 (89.7%) were considered valid, resulting in a demographic distribution of 259 (49.7%) female and 262 (50.3%) male participants, aged 11 to 18 (mean: 15.45 years), and BMI ranging from 12.21 to 61.72 (mean: 21.93). A significant correlation was found between female gender, higher BMI, and the likelihood of developing eating disorders (p<0.001). Conclusion: With the rising incidence of eating disorders and evidence of a correlation between BMI, gender, and their development, prevention strategies are essential for both healthy and vulnerable young people. Early screening, timely diagnosis, and targeted interventions can improve outcomes and contribute to better prognosis.