A Proposal for a Study of Bulimia Among Women in the United States Air Force
Abstract:
The prevalence of bulimia among active-duty United States Air Force USAF women has not been documented. However, in the general population, bulimia is believed to be occurring in increasing numbers of persons. This thesis consists of the development of a proposal for a program to screen active- duty USAF women for bulimia associated with pre-scheduled annual weighing. Prevalence rates will be determined based on age, race, rank, job, alcohol consumption, smoking and eating histories, Weight Management Program WMP activity status, weight and height, and overall body image. The thesis includes a review of the literature, a description of bulimic personality characteristics, a discussion of associated medical complications, hypothesized etiologies, treatment modalities and prognosis, as well as a discussion of the need for such a study.