TY - JOUR
T1 - Family mealtime while growing up
T2 - Associations with symptoms of bulimia nervosa
AU - Ackard, Diann M.
AU - Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne
PY - 2001/12/1
Y1 - 2001/12/1
N2 - The purpose of this study was to examine associations between bulimia nervosa and family meals. Female college students (N = 560) completed surveys assessing eating disorder pathology, family meal frequency, and family environment. Results indicate that dinner was the meal most frequently shared with family members. The frequency of eating dinner together as a family was inversely associated with scores on two measures of bulimia, and these associations remained statistically significant after controlling for other familial factors. Familial variables associated with bulimic symptoms included low cohesion and independence, and high achievement orientation. While results indicate that bulimic behaviors are inversely associated with the frequency of a family dinner, these relationships need to be explored within the context of broader family dynamics. Individuals working in primary and secondary prevention settings should evaluate family meal patterns and dynamics in families with a member with an eating disorder.
AB - The purpose of this study was to examine associations between bulimia nervosa and family meals. Female college students (N = 560) completed surveys assessing eating disorder pathology, family meal frequency, and family environment. Results indicate that dinner was the meal most frequently shared with family members. The frequency of eating dinner together as a family was inversely associated with scores on two measures of bulimia, and these associations remained statistically significant after controlling for other familial factors. Familial variables associated with bulimic symptoms included low cohesion and independence, and high achievement orientation. While results indicate that bulimic behaviors are inversely associated with the frequency of a family dinner, these relationships need to be explored within the context of broader family dynamics. Individuals working in primary and secondary prevention settings should evaluate family meal patterns and dynamics in families with a member with an eating disorder.
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U2 - 10.1080/10640260127551
DO - 10.1080/10640260127551
M3 - Article
C2 - 16864543
AN - SCOPUS:0035704796
VL - 9
SP - 239
EP - 249
JO - Eating Disorders
JF - Eating Disorders
SN - 1064-0266
IS - 3
ER -