Abstract

Abuse is a pervasive issue that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, including the development of eating disorders. Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing the manifestation of psychosomatic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between abuse and eating disorders among 171 students at a Catholic secondary school in Hungary. The results showed that anorexia nervosa and bulimia were the most common eating disorders, and that all types of abuse examined contributed to negative eating-related attitudes. The study found that eating disorders often remain undetected for a long time, only surfacing when other difficulties arise. The findings suggest that the school and family environments play a significant role in the development of nutritional disorders. Early detection of binge eating and timely intervention could reduce the incidence of eating disorders. However, social professionals often only intervene at the tertiary prevention stage, when somatic symptoms have already appeared. To address this issue, collaborative teamwork across multiple specialties is necessary to enable early detection and implementation of interventions. The study highlights the importance of addressing abuse and its effects on eating disorders, and the need for a comprehensive approach to prevention and intervention.

Keywords: Abuse; Eating disorder; Attitude; Dysfunction; Mental health