Dying to Look like You? Race, Ethnic, and Nativity Differences in Disordered Eating Behaviors among Adolescent Females

Nicole Angotti, University of Texas at Austin
Andrea K. Henderson, University of Texas at Austin

The purpose of this paper is to document race, ethnic, and nativity differences in disordered eating behaviors among adolescent females. A growing body of literature suggests that adolescents of color are at increased risk for developing eating disorders, behaviors previously believed to affect namely young, white females from relatively affluent families. However, these findings are based largely on data derived from small, community-based studies or qualitative research accounts. Data for this study come from the public-use National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a nationally representative school-based study of the health-related behaviors of adolescents. We measure differences among three outcomes: anorexic/bulimic symptomology, negative self-perception of body weight, and concern about weight loss. Preliminary findings suggest that across the three measures of disordered eating behaviors, there is wide variation among racial, ethnic, and nativity groups.