OBJECTIVE. Female adults with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN) have been found to score higher than healthy controls on a questionnaire that measures characteristics associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This research investigated the relationship between eating disorder (ED) and ASD symptomatology in a non-clinical sample, with an additional focus on prenatal testosterone (pT) levels. DESIGN. A cross-sectional research design was used.
The selected age group of both males and females allowed for a focus on early onset of ED symptomatology in both sexes. METHODS. Self-reported questionnaire data from the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) were collected from 132 schoolchildren (61 boys, 71 girls) aged 11 to 14, with no recorded psychiatric diagnoses.
Digit ratio (2D:4D) measures to index levels of pT exposure were also obtained. RESULTS. A significant relationship between levels of ED symptomatology and ASD symptomatology was identified.
Particularly strong relationships were identified between the EAT-26 and the attention to detail and communication subscales of the AQ. Few relationships were found for digit ratios. CONCLUSION. The results extend previous research from a sample with a diagnosis of AN to a non-clinical population.
Those registering higher levels of ED symptomatology also reported higher levels of attention to detail and communication difficulties associated with ASD.
2011-08-03
Eng.
The British journal of clinical psychology / the British Psychological Society
Department of Psychology, University of Bath, UK.
Br J Clin Psychol. 2011 Sep;50(3):326-38
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