[Distribution and relation of risk factors associated with eating disorders in a sample of pubescents, males and females, to 11-15 years old from Hidalgo, Mexico].

Objective: To determine the distribution and relation of risk factors: biological (body mass index (BMI), sexual maturity) psychological (eating behaviours, body unsatisfied), and sociocultural (publicity influence and distress with body shape) factors associated to eating disorders in Mexican pubescent from Hidalgo, Mexico.

Material And Methods: A field transversal descriptive and correlational design was carried away with a probabilistic sample of 2194 pubescent (males 48%; females 52%), between 11 and 15 years (X = 13.2; DE = 1.03) junior high students. A self-report questionnaire on eating behaviours, body image, sociocultural factors and sexual maturity was applied. BMI was obtained from each subject.

Results: The date showed that the majority (57% of females and 61.6% of males) was unsatisfied with their body shape as well as important percentages of distress of body shape (28% females; 14% males). Both females (25%) and males (16%) eliminate food times. About restrictive dieting the percentage between males (6%) and females (5.2%) were very similar. Only females showed preoccupation about weight and food (17.2%). As a BMI increased, unsatisfied with body shape (r = 0.552, p < 0.01) increased too. As well increased influence of publicity, distress of body shape increased too (r = 0.586, p < 0.01). These facts are deemed relevant to the etiophatology, prevention and treatment of eating disorders in Mexican pubescent.