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. 2025 Aug 24;17(8):e90909.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.90909. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Eating Disorders Among Indian Adolescents

Hiranmayi Anam  1 , Jagadeeswari S  1 , Ravanagomagan Mg  1
Affiliations

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Eating Disorders Among Indian Adolescents

Hiranmayi Anam et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background Eating disorders (EDs) are a growing public health concern among adolescents, yet data from India remain limited. This study examined the prevalence of EDs in adolescents aged 10-19 years in India and analyzed how age, social media use, stress, gender, socio-economic status, geographic location, and education level influence ED risk. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 860 adolescents in Chennai, India, was conducted using standardized questionnaires (including the Eating Attitudes Test and related scales) to screen for disordered eating and potential risk factors. Statistical analyses (independent t-tests, ANOVA, and linear regressions) were used to assess group differences and associations. Results Approximately one in ten adolescents screened positive for high ED risk, with younger adolescents (10-15 years) showing a slightly higher prevalence than older teens. Females exhibited higher ED risk scores than males, consistent with global trends. Social media use was strongly correlated with body image dissatisfaction (R≈0.82, p<0.001), which in turn is linked to greater ED risk. High perceived stress was a significant predictor of ED symptoms (R≈0.32, p<0.001). Socio-demographic factors (gender, socio-economic status, urban/rural location, education level, and family structure) all showed statistically significant variations in ED prevalence (p≈0.03 for each factor). Conclusions EDs and disordered eating behaviors are prevalent among Indian adolescents, especially in early adolescence and in females. Social media overuse and high stress levels emerge as key risk factors associated with body image dissatisfaction and ED vulnerability. These findings underscore the need for early, multifaceted intervention strategies in India, including mental health support, stress management, promotion of healthy social media habits, and culturally-tailored public health campaigns to address body image issues. Such efforts should be informed by both local data and international evidence to effectively prevent and manage adolescent eating disorders.

Keywords: adolescent obesity; body image dissatisfaction; eating disorders (eds); risk-factors; stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee of Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital issued approval 002/sBMCH/IHEC/2023/1992. Participants and their parents provided informed consent/assent prior to data collection, as approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai (002/sBMCH/IHEC/2023/1992). Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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