Diet problems in teens increases suicide risk

Teens with eating disorders are more likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts on their own lives than the general population.
In a study of African American teenagers, Dr Rashelle Musci and colleagues from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University investigated depression in 313 black females that were followed for 11 years from the age of six.
Teacher, parent and child interviews were held and anxiety, satisfaction and diet behaviour was measured by researchers.
Scientists from the Bloomberg School found females who demonstrated a dissatisfaction with their physical appearance because of binge eating were substantially more likely to report suicide attempts.
In Dr Musci’s conclusion, she said: “The relationships found in this study offer prevention scientists a unique opportunity to target individuals at high risk of psychiatric problems by intervening in the case of binge eating problems.”
Dr Musci added the results show the importance of developing prevention programmes that young African Americans will be interested in, as some current schemes are not culturally relevant to the teens.