BODY DISSATISFACTION AND EATING-RELATED PROBLEMS ON THE COLLEGE CAMPUS - USEFULNESS OF THE EATING DISORDER INVENTORY WITH A NONCLINICAL POPULATION

The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) was administered to 3 female undergraduate samples representing 2 campuses (N = 1,506). Subjects also provided information on family demographics and on eating, dieting, and exercise habits and attitudes. Very high rates of body dissatisfaction were reported. EDI factor analysis yielded a 6-factor structure accounting for 41% of the variance. The Eating Disorders factor was a combination of 3 EDI clinical scales (Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, and lack of Interoceptive Awareness); 5 factors were identical to the other 5 EDI scales. Two risk groups were identified on the basis of extreme EDI factor scores: a body-dissatisfied group and a binge-purge group with poor psychological adjustment. For campus intervention programs, potential usefulness of the EDI for screening of relevant subgroups is discussed, with particular attention to body dissatisfaction.