Hadia Radwan1, Hayder A Hasan2, Lina Najm2, Sara Zaurub2, Faridah Jami2, Fahimeh Javadi2, Lina Adeeb Deeb2, Amani Iskandarani2. 1. Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences/ Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. hradwan@sharjah.ac.ae. 2. Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences/ Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eating disorders (ED) can be influenced by psychological and socio-cultural factors. The aim of this study was to explore the association between parental and media influences and body image concerns as factors in the onset of ED. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 662 students (407 women and 255 men) attending one of three universities in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study employed an online self-administered questionnaire with validated scales: Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Media Influences Scale, and Family Influences Scale (FIS). RESULTS: About 33% of the sample had EAT- 26 scores >=20 and 45% showed mild to marked concerns about their body shape. Women students were significantly more concerned about their shape, and more influenced by media than men. There were significant differences in the means of all scores, except for media influence, among the four BMI groups. The EAT-26 score showed strongest correlation with BSQ (r=0.48), followed by FIS, Media and BMI (r=0.419, r=0.276 and r=0.18 respectively). The BSQ was the best predictor of ED and was inversely associated with the EAT-26 score (B=-1.51, OR=0.219, 95% CI: 0.152-0.316, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that ED and body shape concerns are highly prevalent among the university student sample, and highlight the strong influence that both the media and families exert on the development of ED among young adults. These findings provide baseline data for future longitudinal studies to investigate factors influencing ED.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Eating disorders (ED) can be influenced by psychological and socio-cultural factors. The aim of this study was to explore the association between parental and media influences and body image concerns as factors in the onset of ED. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 662 students (407 women and 255 men) attending one of three universities in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study employed an online self-administered questionnaire with validated scales: Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Media Influences Scale, and Family Influences Scale (FIS). RESULTS: About 33% of the sample had EAT- 26 scores >=20 and 45% showed mild to marked concerns about their body shape. Women students were significantly more concerned about their shape, and more influenced by media than men. There were significant differences in the means of all scores, except for media influence, among the four BMI groups. The EAT-26 score showed strongest correlation with BSQ (r=0.48), followed by FIS, Media and BMI (r=0.419, r=0.276 and r=0.18 respectively). The BSQ was the best predictor of ED and was inversely associated with the EAT-26 score (B=-1.51, OR=0.219, 95% CI: 0.152-0.316, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that ED and body shape concerns are highly prevalent among the university student sample, and highlight the strong influence that both the media and families exert on the development of ED among young adults. These findings provide baseline data for future longitudinal studies to investigate factors influencing ED.
Authors: Omar A Alhaj; Feten Fekih-Romdhane; Dima H Sweidan; Zahra Saif; Mina F Khudhair; Hadeel Ghazzawi; Mohammed Sh Nadar; Saad S Alhajeri; Michael P Levine; Haitham Jahrami Journal: Eat Weight Disord Date: 2022-08-04 Impact factor: 3.008
Authors: Agnieszka Białek-Dratwa; Wiktoria Staśkiewicz; Mateusz Grajek; Aleksandra Filip; Mateusz Rozmiarek; Karolina Krupa-Kotara; Oskar Kowalski Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-20 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Hadia Radwan; Hayder A Hasan; Haneen Ismat; Hala Hakim; Hiba Khalid; Leen Al-Fityani; Rawand Mohammed; Alzahraa Ayman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-05-01 Impact factor: 3.390