The impact of age and BMI on impairment due to disordered eating in a large female community sample

The impact of age and BMI on functional impairment in eating disorders was assessed by the Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA) scale in a representative community sample. The CIA was administered to 1080 women aged 16–50 years (M = 36.2, SD = 9.5) with a range of BMI from 13.5 to 55.0 (M = 24.6, SD = 4.9) randomly selected from the Norwegian National Population Register. The average global CIA score was 5.3 (SD = 8.5). Impairment tended to decrease with age (rs = −.20, p < .01), yet increased with greater BMI (rs = .31, p < .01). Approximately 30% of the participants with obesity scored in the clinical range compared to 7% of the underweight and normal-weight participants. Data supported the utility and feasibility of the CIA as a measure of functional impairment secondary to weight, shape, and eating concerns. It is recommended that age and BMI be considered during the interpretation of CIA data.

► Age and BMI have an impact on functional impairment due to disordered eating.
► Younger age was associated with greater levels of personal and global impairment.
► Impairment increased with elevated BMI.
► Approximately 30% of the participants with obesity scored in the clinical range.