315022
Adolescent Dating Violence, Disordered Eating, and Gender Differences in U.S. High Schools
In 2013, one in 10 students who dated or went out with someone in the previous 12 months reported some form of partner dating violence (PDV). PDV is a risk factor for adverse health behaviors and disordered eating (DE). This study aims to evaluate the extent to which PDV victimization is associated with disordered eating behaviors and explore gender differences utilizing a nationally-representative sample of high-school adolescents.
Methods
Data was obtained from the 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n=9,677). Multiple logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between partner dating violence (physical, sexual, physical + sexual, and none) and DE (e.g. purging, fasting). Stratified analysis was used to assess for gender differences.
Results
The prevalence of respondents who reported past year physical dating violence, sexual dating violence, and both forms of PDV were 5.4%, 5.4%, and 4.7%, respectively. Nearly a fifth of adolescents reported at least one DE. Adolescents with physical or sexual dating violence were more likely to report one or more DE behavior than adolescents who reported no PDV. Estimates became more robust for those reporting physical and sexual PDV. Males had larger risk estimates even after controlling for socio-demographic factors.
Conclusion
Results strengthen support for routine screening for PDV in healthcare where DE is often detected. DE should be considered with the development of protocols to identify and provide counseling for PDV.
Learning Areas:
EpidemiologyPublic health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the association between partner dating violence and disordered eating behaviors in U.S. high school students. Discuss public health implications of partner dating violence victimization and disordered eating.
Keyword(s): Youth Violence, Epidemiology
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral candidate in epidemiology at Virginia Commonwealth University with experience in teaching and research. In addition to doing extensive coursework in epidemiologic research methods, I have also been the first author to publications on partner violence.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.