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. 2018 Sep;39(9):910-921.
doi: 10.15537/smj.2018.9.23314.

Eating disorders and associated risk factors among Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal university preparatory year female students in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Aisha M Alwosaifer  1 , Salwa A Alawadh, Moataza M Abdel Wahab, Leila A Boubshait, Bader A Almutairi
Affiliations

Eating disorders and associated risk factors among Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal university preparatory year female students in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Aisha M Alwosaifer et al. Saudi Med J. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of eating disorders among Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU) in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, female students and to investigate the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at IAU, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 2016 with 670 participants. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaires, including the Eating attitude test 26 (EAT-26) and the sociocultural attitudes toward appearance questionnaire (SATAQ-4). Eating behavior questions were asked to determine whether the respondents should seek evaluation for an eating disorder (ED) from a professional.

Results: Eating attitude test 26 results showed that 29.4% of participants were categorized at a high level of concern for an ED, and 45.5% were categorized as at risk of having problematic feeding behaviors. Of the participants who scored above 20 on the EAT-26, 60.7% demonstrated high-risk feeding behavior attitudes, and approximately 11.5% who scored a body mass index (BMI) classified as underweight or very underweight required referral to a psychologist. A significant relationship was found between family stress to lose weight and EAT-26 scores above 20. The media was also found to represent external influence to lose weight.

Conclusion: This study concluded that early detection of EDs or problematic feeding behaviors and attitude is vital to minimize the risks to physical health and well-being of the sufferers' experiences.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of high level of concern of Ed, risk of problematic ED, and need for referral among different BMI categories. BMI - body mass index, ED- Eating disorders
Figure 2
Figure 2
Internal and external pressures on participants to maintain their ideal body image or to lose weight.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Relation between SATAQ-4 and high level of concern, BMI and need for referral. BMI - body mass index, SATAQ-4 - socio-cultural attitudes toward appearance questionnaire
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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