The severity of eating disorder symptoms and interest in weight reduction vary among cultures and nationalities. The present study is the first to directly compare the extent of these problems between two Western nations. Although several reports have emerged from other European countries, this is the first study of eating disorder symptoms among Spanish youth. There were more American girls with bulimia nervosa symptoms; the overall level of eating disorder symptoms was higher among the Americans; and more American girls were interested in losing weight. Bulimia was equally rare among Spanish and American boys, American boys were more interested in changing their weight, and Spanish boys had higher scores on a questionnaire of eating disorder symptoms. Although statistically different, subjects in both countries scored close to the norm on the eating disorder questionnaire.
Research into the prevalence of eating disorders in different societies and cultural groups is useful for at least two important reasons. First, basic information about the epidemiology of these disorders is needed for the purpose of planning treatment and prevention programs in different populations. Second, information about eating disorders in different cultures is needed to formulate