Epidemiology This week we will be exploring policy evaluation. Now, as we have discussed in the Collaborate sessions there is a hierarchy in study design. Random Clinical Trials have the least threats...

Disease: Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults: Screening
The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has conducted screening studies and graded the Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults” as Grade I as it has insufficient evidence to study the balance between the benefits and harms of the screening disorders. Eating Disorder is a psychiatric condition which results in adverse health conditions like physical, psychological and social problems. From the US cohort studies, the eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder is more prevalent in women in comparison to men (Feltner et al., 2022; Widiger, Costa, & Association, 2013). The screening studies were conducted on adolescents and adults (10 years or older) by using seventeen studies with sample size of 51-1541 participants by using SCOFF questionnaire which can improve the health outcomes and this eating disorders can be prevented by early diagnosis and giving proper treatment (Feltner et al., 2022; Udo & Grilo, 2018).
From this study it was understood that the USPSTF has conducted screening studies on the normal adults or the adults with high Body mass index (Feltner et al., 2022; Maguen et al., 2018). It was also understood that USPSTF has not considered underweight adults and also symptoms of the diseases and the adolescents population chosen was with no symptoms of eating disorder. The screening tests were evaluated based on their height, weight and body mass index and any changes in this is considered as a early detection by the use of screening questioners as a primary care. No risk assessment studies were reported and there are various biological, social and environmental factors causing eating disorders. They have also reported the USPSTF questionnaire a 100% sensitivity and 27% specificity in the pediatric obesity clinic...