CHAPTER 2: dYSREgulATion To diSoRdER • 37oppositional defiant and Conduct disorders
The national study conducted by Merikangas et al. (2010) found that 19.1% of respondents
reported a behavioral disorder, with 12.6% reporting symptoms of oppositional defiant
disorder and 6.8% reporting conduct disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) describes disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders
as conditions that involve problems in the self-control of emotions and behaviors (APA, 2013).
They are unique in that the problems with emotional and behavioral control result in behav-
iors that violate the right of others or bring the student into significant conflict with authority
figures or societal norms (APA, 2013). These disorders include: oppositional defiant disorder
(i.e., angry irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, and vindictiveness), intermit-
tent explosive disorder (i.e., recurrent verbal or behavioral outbursts that reflect a failure to
control inappropriate, aggressive impulses), conduct disorder (i.e., a pattern of behavior that
violates the rights of others or societal norms), pyromania (i.e., deliberate, compulsive fire
starting), and kleptomania (i.e., recurrent d ifficulty resisting impulses to steal; APA, 2013). As
later chapters of this text reveal, mindfulness and yoga interventions have shown effective-
ness in reducing behavioral problems in schools, detention centers, and prisons.
Eating disorders and obesity
A large number of students do not engage in healthy eating or exercise behaviors
(Cook-Cottone, Tribole et al., 2013). Not surprisingly, then, the YRBSS found risk for obe-
sity and eating disorder. According to the findings of the 2013 YRBSS, during the 7 days
before the survey, 5.0% of high school students had not eaten fruit or drunk fruit juices,
and 6.6% had not eaten vegetables (Kann et al., 2014). According to the findings of the
2013 YRBSS, 13.7% of students were obese, with higher rates in males (16.6%) than females
(10.8%), and 16.6% were overweight (Kann et al., 2014). Overall, 47.7% of high school stu-
dents reported that they were trying to lose weight (Kann et al., 2014). In terms of eating-
disordered behavior, findings of the YRBSS indicated that 13.0% of students had not eaten
for 24 or more hours in order to lose weight or to prevent weight gain during the 30 days
before the survey (Kann et al., 2014). Further, 5.0% of students had taken diet pills, powders,
or liquids without a doctor’s advice to lose weight or to prevent weight gain during the
30 days before the survey. Nationwide, 4.4% of students had vomited or taken laxatives
to lose weight or prevent weight gain with rates higher among females (Kann et al., 2014).
Given the risk, it is not surprising that Merikangas et al. (2010) found 3.8% of females
and 1.5% of males to have clinical-level eating disorders. The three major eating disorders
are anorexia nervosa (i.e., restriction of energy intake relative to energy needs, low body
weight, intense fear of gaining weight, disturbed body image, and, for some, episodes of
bingeing and purging), bulimia nervosa (i.e., recurrent episodes of binge eating associated
with episodes of compensatory behaviors [e.g., purging, exercise], and self-evaluation
unduly based on shape and weight), and binge eating disorder (i.e., recurrent episodes of
binge eating, a sense of lack of control over eating, and distress regarding eating; APA, 2013).
Further, prevalence studies show that rates of childhood obesity remain high, with 16.9% of
2 to 19 year olds meeting criteria for obesity (BMI ≥ 95th sex- and age-specific percentiles;