Disordered eating in Turkish adolescents: gender differences in a non-metropolitan region

Purpose This study aims to examine the prevalence of disordered eating (DE) risk and behaviors among adolescents in a non-metropolitan region of Türkiye, with a focus on gender differences and tool concordance. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was conducted with 670 high school students (354 females, 316 males; Mage = 15.5 ± 1.14). Participants completed the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), SCOFF questionnaire and Fear of Eating Disorder Scale. Anthropometric data were collected per ISO 7250–1:2017 standards. Findings The prevalence of DE risk was 12.2% (EAT-26) and 31.9% (SCOFF), with modest agreement (κ = 0.29) and moderate correlation (r = 0.43, p < 0.01) between the two tools. Common DE behaviors included binge eating (18.2%), vomiting (9.9%), laxative/diet pill misuse (6.0%) and excessive exercise (4.6%). Females scored significantly higher on all measures and had greater DE risk (SCOFF: 44.1% vs 18.4%; EAT-26:15.5% vs 8.5%). Research limitations/implications The reliance on self-report measures and the exclusion of psychological and sociocultural variables limit explanatory depth. Future research should incorporate multivariate and longitudinal designs, using culturally adapted tools. Practical implications The findings underscore the importance of implementing school-based screening, peer support, multidisciplinary intervention, public awareness campaigns and integrating DE prevention into national public health and education policies. Originality/value By focusing on a non-metropolitan adolescent sample and using multiple screening tools, this study contributes context-specific insights into DE risk in an underrepresented Turkish population.