To test the hypothesis that Anorectic and Bulimic symptoms in adolescence are associated with smoking, substance use, unhealthy nutrition and increased physical exercise.

Cross sectional study of 2263 adolescents aged 15-18 years-old from 10 schools in Northwestern , Greece. Subjects were screened using the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12). 873 subjects were selected for the second stage interview with the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) and asked for eating and dieting practices. Odds ratios adjusted for age and sex were computed for the association between eating disorder symptoms and scores on the CIS-R.

Bulimic but not anorectic symptoms were positively associated with weekly consumption of Sweets, Hams and Crisps (Odds ratios [OR] from 1.57 to 2.02, p<0.05) and increased alcohol consumption (OR=1.81, 95% Confidence Intervals: 1.23 - 2.67). Moderate to vigorous physical activity was negatively associated with symptoms (OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.13-0.72). Both Anorectic and Bulimic Symptoms were not associated with weekly consumption of fruits-vegetables and nicotine or cannabis use.

These findings support the hypotheses that bulimic symptoms are correlated more than anorectic symptoms with bad nutrition habits and sedentary behavior. Neither the anorectics nor the bulimics used smoking as a weight-restriction strategy. Alcohol use but not other substances seem to be more prevalent among bulimic adolescents.

“The research Project is co-funded by the European Union - European Social Fund (ESF) & National Sources, in the framework of the program "Pythagoras II" of the "Operational Program for Education and Initial Vocational Training" of the 3rd Community Support Framework of the Hellenic Ministry of Education.”