https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Thompson2023

Thompson, K. A., Bauman, V., Sunderland, K. W., Thornton, J. A., Schvey, N. A., Moyer, R., Sekyere, N. A., Funk, W., Pav, V., Brydum, R., Klein, D. A., Lavender, J. M., & Tanofsky-Kraff, M. (2023). Incidence and prevalence of eating disorders among active duty US military-dependent youth from 2016 to 2021. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(10), 1973-1982. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24025

This study examined eating disorder incidence rates (i.e., number of new cases) and prevalence estimates (i.e., number of individuals with the disorder) among military-dependent youth from 2016–2021. Military healthcare records were used to identify youth with an eating disorder diagnosis and their parent/sponsor’s demographic characteristics. Overall, annual eating disorder diagnoses increased by 64.5% across the 6-year study period, and prevalence estimates rose from .03% to .09%.

https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24025

Physical health
Mental health
Youth

Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches

Active Duty
Guard

Child of a service member or veteran

School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)

Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study

Thompson, Katherine A., Bauman, Vivian, Sunderland, Kevin W., Thornton, Jennifer A., Schvey, Natasha A., Moyer, Rachel, Sekyere, Nana Amma, Funk, Wendy, Pav, Veronika, Brydum, Rick, Klein, David A., Lavender, Jason M., Tanofsky-Kraff, Marian

Objective The offspring of US military service members may be at increased risk for eating disorders. However, no epidemiological studies to date have evaluated eating disorder incidence rates and prevalence estimates among military-dependent youth. Method This retrospective cohort study examined eating disorder diagnoses in the military healthcare system (MHS) from 2016 through 2021. Active duty and national guard military-dependent youth, aged 10–17 years, who received care in the MHS via TRICARE Prime insurance, were identified by one or more ICD-10 codes indicative of an eating disorder diagnosis (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other-specified eating disorders). Results During the 6-year surveillance period, 2534 dependents received incident diagnoses of eating disorders, with a crude overall incidence rate of 1.75 cases per 10,000 person-years. The most common diagnosis was other-specified eating disorder, followed by anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. The crude annual incidence rate of all eating disorder diagnoses increased by nearly 65% from 2016 to 2021. Rates for all diagnoses were highest in 2020 and 2021. Period prevalence estimates were .08% for any eating disorder diagnosis, .01% for anorexia nervosa, .004% for bulimia nervosa, .004% for binge-eating disorder, and .06% for other-specified eating disorders. Discussion The observed increase in eating disorder diagnoses during the surveillance period appeared to be driven by female dependents. More military dependents experienced a new-onset diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years. These findings highlight the need for eating disorder screening, identification, and treatment for dependents within the MHS. Public Significance Statement Children of US military service members may be at increased risk for eating disorders. Results indicate new-onset eating disorder cases increased 65% from 2016 to 2021, primarily among girls compared to boys. The most diagnosed and fastest growing diagnosis was other-specified eating disorder. Rates of anorexia nervosa increased following the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight the need for eating disorder screening, identification, and treatment within the military healthcare system.

Wiley Online

Article
REACH Publication

Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, USU, KAT
Metis Foundation, KAT
Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, USU, VB
Metis Foundation, VB
Clinical Investigation Facility, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, KWS
Ripple Effect, KWS
Clinical Investigation Facility, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, JAT
Ripple Effect, JAT
Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, USU, NAS
Department of Family Medicine, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, RM
Department of Family Medicine, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, NAS
Kennell and Associates Inc., WF
Kennell and Associates Inc., VP
School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, VP
Kennell and Associates Inc., RB
Department of Family Medicine, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, DAK
Department of Family Medicine, USU, DAK
Department of Pediatrics, USU, DAK
Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, USU, JML
Metis Foundation, JML
Department of Medicine, USU, JML
Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, USU, MTK
Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, USU, MTK