Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the attitudes of high school students towards anorexia and bulimia. Material and methods. The study was conducted from December 2012 to March 2013 and involved 150 3rd grade students in two high schools in Hrubieszów (Lublin Province). The research was carried out by means of a survey method, a poll auditorium technique. An original questionnaire consisting of 39 questions was used. Results. The results of the analysis indicate that: 5.3% of the examined students were underweight, 75.3% had normal weight, 16.7% students were overweight and 2.7% were obese. According to 95.0% of respondents, anorexia and bulimia are human illnesses. None of the examined expressed a positive attitude towards anorexia. 1.3% of the students declared a positive attitude towards bulimia. In spite of the fact that almost half of the pupils were satisfied with their figures, respondents had been on a weight loss diet in the past or at the moment of conducting the survey (36.0% and 9.3% respectively). The level of knowledge on anorexia and bulimia was higher among females than males. The mass media (Internet, television, newspapers and magazines) turned out to be the primary source of examined students’ knowledge about anorexia and bulimia. Conclusions. The students’ knowledge about anorexia and bulimia can be estimated as insufficient, although examined pupils were aware of main symptoms, complications and management of anorexia and bulimia.

Key words: anorexia, bulimia, youth, high school students.