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Eating disorders and their correlates in high school adolescents of Northern Italy
- Anna Linda Toselli, Simona Villani, Antonio Maria Ferro, Anna Verri, Laura Cucurullo, Alessandra Marinoni
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- Journal:
- Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale / Volume 14 / Issue 2 / June 2005
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 October 2011, pp. 91-99
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Objective – The study investigated eating disordered behaviours and life-habits correlated in a large sample of Northern Italian adolescents of both sexes. Methods – The study had a cross-sectional design. 2595 students (2,146 responders; mean age 17.2±1.7 years) attending high schools in Savona (Italy) in April and May 2001 were sampled. To assess eating attitudes, the Inventory for the Screening of Eating Disorders (ISED) was self-administered. Inquiries regarding possible risk factors for eating disorders were also made: socio-economic status, body weight, smoking and alcohol drinking habits, illegal drugs use. Results – Females scored significantly higher than males at ISED (13.4±7.7 vs. 7.6±5.8). 28.5% of females had a total ISED score above the cut-off point (18/19). Unhealthy eating behaviours were strongly associated with higher BMI, body image disturbance and illegal drugs use in both sexes; age had significant role only in males. No significant association between disordered eating behaviours and socio-economic status, smoking habit and alcohol consumption were found. Conclusions – Symptoms of eating disorders are quite spread in the Northern Italian female adolescents and associate with illegal drugs use. These data, with not negligible frequency of unhealthy eating behaviours and attitudes in males too, suggest that primary and secondary preventive interventions for teen-agers should be got ready.
Declaration of Interest: 1) the study received the financial support by Regione Liguria and ASL 2 of Savona; 2) the study didn't receive any forms of financing by pharmaceutical company support and any honoraria for consultancies or interventions was received by each author in the last two years; 3) any other involvements that might be considered a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. The authors state that if and when the manuscript accepted for publication, they automatically agree to transfer the copyright to the publisher
The suicidal behaviour in the North province of Varese: an epidemiological analysis
- Roberto Bressani, Isidoro Cioffi, Carlo Fraticelli, Franco Grillo, Salvatore Pisani, Anna Maria Verri, Fabio Banfi, Simone Vender
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- Journal:
- Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale / Volume 10 / Issue 3 / September 2001
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 October 2011, pp. 180-185
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Objective – Analysis of figures and characteristics of suicide behaviour in the area of Varese and the neighbouring northern towns (Valceresio, the valleys around Luino and northern Verbano), with the purpose of finding out preventing measures. Design – Epidemiological-descriptive survey. The 1995-1997 ISTAT death cards, included in the death files of the former USSL of Varese have been taken into consideration. Only those people who were resident at the suicide moment have been included in the survey. Afterwards the psychiatric service archives were consulted, to find any possible contact between the subjects in the ISTAT files and the psychiatric services themselves. With regard to these patients, some information such as suicide attempts, psychiatric pathology and first contact with the psychiatric services have been pointed out. Setting – Arcisate, Cittiglio, Luino and Varese districts, where the Community Mental Health Services 1 and 2 of “Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Macchi” of Varese operate. Main outcome measures – The suicide rates in the studied area have been reckoned and, through direct standardization, the rates of the single districts have been compared. Results – There were 78 suicides ( 24 females and 54 males): rate of 8.2 per 100.000. In accordance with the national trend, there is evidence of a general reduction of the suicide phenomenon, except among the youngest. Districts of Luino and Arcisate are geographic areas to examine in the time, because a wider sample could reveal a higher risk. Young and elderly people are the most affected among the males and, 55/64- year-old people, both males and females, are at higher risk. Suicide methods vary with the age. A high percentage of subjects are not married and with low education. Less than one third of the subjects had come into contact with the psychiatric service. Conclusions – These data allow a comparison with the national survey and an analysis of the suicide features in the study area. The purpose is to elaborate preventing strategies with multi- dimensional approach whose efficacy may be proved in the future by setting up a provincial observatory.