Bulimia in a college population

Abstract

The primary purposes of this study were to describe and evaluate selected characteristics of a group of normal weight, female bulimics. Bulimic (N = 23) and control (N = 24) subjects were recruited from two university campuses in the southwest. A General Questionnaire, a Weight and Diet Questionnaire, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, a three-day dietary record, and blood and urine tests were used to collect data on the two groups. The independent samples t test was used to investigate the differences between bulimic and control subjects in demographic and educational characteristics, family relationships, weight and diet behavior, self-concept, personality characteristics, dietary intake, and physiological status. The Chi-Square statistic was used to assess significance of differences between the groups in physical symptomatology, impulse-related behaviors, and social and sexual behaviors. A correlational analysis of selected variables was conducted to explore relationships between bulimic characteristics. Results indicated that the bulimic subjects were from smaller, higher social status families, and had better educated mothers. They reported themselves to be taller and heavier than controls, perceived themselves as more overweight, and evidenced lower self-concept. These individuals also indicated more pathology on the personality test. There was a trend for the bulimic subjects to be more active sexually but more isolated socially. They differed significantly from the control group in dietary intake and physiological status. Recommendations for future research with bulimic populations were based on the results and the limitations of the present study.