OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of adolescent population at risk for eating disorders (EDs), to examine gender differences and their association with non-psychotic mental disorders. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using an anonymous, self-reported questionnaire in the classroom and measurement of weight and height in a representative sample of 4334 teenagers of both sexes. A definition of population at risk for EDs has been established, that differentiates those with dieting criteria and those with binge-purge eating behaviour criteria. This definition includes a combination of weight, behaviour, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria, and Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) results. The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used to assess non-psychotic mental disorders. RESULTS: The prevalence of population at risk for EDs was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.6-2.8) for men and 15.3% (95% CI: 13.8-16.9) for women. The prevalence rate of combining both ED risk and mental disorder was 0.8% (95% CI: 0.4-1.2) for men and 9.9% (95% CI: 8.6-11.2) for women. Non-psychotic mental disorders were more prevalent in the population at risk for EDs than in the rest of the population. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of adolescent females have eating problems and non-psychotic mental disorders. Their male counterparts also suffer from these disorders, however, a different pattern is followed.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of adolescent population at risk for eating disorders (EDs), to examine gender differences and their association with non-psychotic mental disorders. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using an anonymous, self-reported questionnaire in the classroom and measurement of weight and height in a representative sample of 4334 teenagers of both sexes. A definition of population at risk for EDs has been established, that differentiates those with dieting criteria and those with binge-purge eating behaviour criteria. This definition includes a combination of weight, behaviour, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria, and Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) results. The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used to assess non-psychotic mental disorders. RESULTS: The prevalence of population at risk for EDs was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.6-2.8) for men and 15.3% (95% CI: 13.8-16.9) for women. The prevalence rate of combining both ED risk and mental disorder was 0.8% (95% CI: 0.4-1.2) for men and 9.9% (95% CI: 8.6-11.2) for women. Non-psychotic mental disorders were more prevalent in the population at risk for EDs than in the rest of the population. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of adolescent females have eating problems and non-psychotic mental disorders. Their male counterparts also suffer from these disorders, however, a different pattern is followed.
Authors: Feten Fekih-Romdhane; Suhad Daher-Nashif; Amthal H Alhuwailah; Haifa Mohammed Saleh Al Gahtani; Suad Abdulla Hubail; Hanaa Ahmed Mohamed Shuwiekh; Mina Fattah Khudhair; Omar A Alhaj; Nicola Luigi Bragazzi; Haitham Jahrami Journal: Eat Weight Disord Date: 2022-01-24 Impact factor: 3.008