2018 Volume 59 Issue 4 Pages 461-473
Background: Early identification of children who may have an eating disorder (ED) and establishment of systems for their support is essential given trends of lowering in age of ED onset. While prevalence surveys have been conducted to estimate the number of students with ED in Japan, there are few studies on the state of ED support by Yogo teachers (specially qualified teaching staff in charge of health care and health education) or studies reflecting new DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
Objective: To clarify the present state regarding identification of students with possible ED as defined by DSM-5, and needs pertaining to their support as perceived by Yogo staff.
Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted on 1,886 Yogo teachers assigned to elementary, junior high, senior high, and special needs schools in four prefectures: Chiba, Hyogo, Ehime and Saitama from January through June, 2015. Results were examined and analyzed for actual status of identification and support of ED students by Yogo teachers alongside the needs being felt by the Yogo staff in supporting such students.
Result: Most Yogo teachers were using “weight monitoring” as the primary means for early identification of ED students, and were “consulting other teachers” as the intial step in early support. Regarding support needs felt by the Yogo teachers, needs for “listings of medical institutions that treat EDs” and “medical and professional advice” were both high, reflecting low rates of actual collaboration with such facilities in all four prefectures. Residual analysis of the present state of early detection and support responses showed significantly more items rated “well done” by teachers in Hyogo prefecture. On the other hand, significantly more items addressing needs for support were also being rated “quite necessary” by teachers in Hyogo, possibly associated with the high rate of Yogo teachers with nursing experience in Hyogo.
Conclusion: Our questionnaire analysis revealed provision of “listings of medical institutions” that can be consulted regarding ED as being the most needed, valid form of support for Yogo teachers supporting students with ED in all of the four prefectures surveyed.
