Bulimic symptoms in adolescent girls and boys

OBJECTIVE: The factor structure of the Bulimic Investigatory Test (BITE) was examined in adolescent girls and boys. METHOD: Seven hundred and seventy seven adolescents (427 girls and 350 boys) completed the BITE. RESULTS: Consistent with the original scale, one factor describing overall bulimic symptoms was found for the girls. However, two factors were required to summarize the boys' symptoms: "Emotional and Rigid/Disruptive Eating Style" and "Food Preoccupation and Binging." DISCUSSION: The results are discussed in relation to Fairburn's (Fairburn. (1995). Overcoming Binge Eating. New York: Guilford) distinction which separates problem from nonproblem binge eating. Further studies are now needed to examine the mechanisms underlying the development of bulimic eating in boys and young men.