Comparison of eating disorder characteristics and depression comorbidity in adolescent males and females: An observational study

Depression comorbid with eating disorders is common and can worsen the severity of both disorders. Little is published regarding depression and eating disorders in male adolescents. This retrospective observational study compared eating disorder presentation and depression comorbidity between medically-hospitalized male and female adolescents. Standardized chart abstraction was performed for 148 subjects (n=127 females, =21 males). Male adolescents had significantly greater pre-hospitalization weight loss and longer eating disorder duration, and were 1.6 times more likely to have comorbid depression compared to female patients. These findings suggest increased detection and treatment of both disorders in adolescent males is warranted.

Automated summary

Depression comorbid with eating disorders is common and can worsen the severity of both disorders. Little is published regarding depression and eating disorders in male adolescents. This retrospective observational study found that male adolescents had significantly greater pre-hospitalization weight loss and longer eating disorder duration, and were 1.6 times more likely to have comorbid depression compared to female patients, suggesting increased detection and treatment in adolescent males is warranted.