Introduction: According to data released by the Ministry of Health in 2021 in Italy about three million young people suffer from eating disorders with onset before the age of 13 and the number tends to be increasing. This work aims to understand if and to what extent the areas of family functioning are related to the way of eating of adolescents in the period of restriction due to COVID-19. In particular, which dimensions of family functioning can be correlated with dysfunctional eating habits.
Methodology: The group that took part in the study was composed of 154 non clinical subjects, of which 124 females, 27 males and 3 non-binary gender subjects. The tests used were the McMaster Family Assessment Device and the Binge Eating Scale, in addition a personal data sheet was used containing the details of the subjects who participated anonymously, recruited at the university of Italy. The data have some limitations, first of all the low number of the sample and the online modality in compiling the tests.
Results: In general, we can say that the Fad and the Bes correlate positively, as the subscales of the Fad increase, the disorganized eating behavior increases and therefore the score of the Bes test. The results of the study indicate that some family dynamics are related to disorganized eating behaviors; it is not possible to establish the specific gravity of the pandemic. It seems likely that compromised family relationships may play a role in promoting the onset of diseases.
Conclusion: It is appropriate to think of a psychoeducational intervention aimed at families in order to improve immediate family functioning and guarantee young people effective preventive action in subjects at risk in adolescence.