The relationship between risk of eating disorders, age, gender and body mass index in medical students: a meta-regression

[Consenso del grupo de trabajo de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria de SENPE (GTTCA-SENPE). Evaluación y tratamiento médico-nutricional en la anorexia nerviosa. Actualización 2023]

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a multifactorial disorder. A possible role of the social network and the gut microbiota in pathogenesis has been added. Exogenous shocks such as the COVID19 pandemic have had a negative impact on patients with AN. The potential medical and nutritional impact of malnutrition and/or compensatory behaviors gives rise to a complex disease with a wide range of severity, the management of which requires a multidisciplinary team with a high level of subject matter expertise. Coordination between levels of care is necessary as well as understanding how to transition the patient from pediatric to adult care is essential. A proper clinical evaluation can detect possible complications, as well as establish the organic risk of the patient. This allows caregivers to tailor the medical-nutritional treatment for each patient. Reestablishing adequate nutritional behaviors is a fundamental pillar of treatment in AN. The design of a personalized nutritional treatment and education program is necessary for this purpose. Depending on the clinical severity, artificial nutrition may be necessary. Although the decision regarding the level of care necessary at diagnosis or during follow-up depends on a number of factors (awareness of the disease, medical stability, complications, suicidal risk, outpatient treatment failure, psychosocial context, etc.), outpatient treatment is the most frequent and most preferred choice. However, more intensive care (total or partial hospitalization) may be necessary in certain cases. In severely malnourished patients, the appearance of refeeding syndrome should be prevented during renourishment. The presence of AN in certain situations (pregnancy, vegetarianism, type 1 diabetes mellitus) requires specific care. Physical activity in these patients must also be addressed correctly.

Body image perception, eating disorder behavior, self-esteem and quality of life: a cross-sectional study among female medical students

BACKGROUND

Eating disorders are strongly associated with body image concerns. Eating disorders tend to significantly impact the current and future health and quality of life of affected persons, their caregivers, and society. As body image is based on a social construct of ideal body image, it is essential to evaluate it in its cultural context.

METHODS

The current study explored the relationship among body image perception, perceived stress, eating disorder behaviour and quality of life among female medical students (n = 777). Measurements included Body Shape Questionnaire, Body Image Quality of Life Inventory, Eating Attitudes Test-26 and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Multivariate analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between eating disorder behaviour and perceived body shape, body image, quality of life and self-esteem among our study participants. We also found eating disorder status was significantly associated with BMI, perceived body shape, quality of life and self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

This is of clinical implication to female medical students and healthcare professionals to engage early in primary and secondary prevention of eating pathologies. Increasing awareness of these facts among female students can help identify at-risk students and help them seek timely medical help.

Prevalence of Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating Behaviours amongst Adolescents and Young Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) are significant health problems related to body image and weight dissatisfaction among adolescents and young adults worldwide. During this stage of sensitive development, these behaviours may hinder the optimal growth process and can consequently lead to wasting, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies. However, there is a limited amount of literature on DEB among Arab populations, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This review aims to assess the prevalence of EDs/DEB and to develop a clear understanding of the epidemiology of such conditions among adolescents and youth in Saudi Arabia. Five databases were systematically searched and 14 papers met the inclusion criteria. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was the predominant tool used for evaluating aberrant eating behaviours, indicating a high prevalence of EDs/DEB ranging from 10.2% to 48.1%. The highest prevalence of EDs/DEB was reported in the eastern region ranging from 29.4% to 65.5%. In terms of age and sex, the prevalence was higher among older students compared to younger school students and males reported more Eds/DEB compared to female students. These disorders are found to be prevalent in Saudi Arabia, and the risk of developing such conditions is high across the whole age range.

A 4pL item response theory examination of perceived stigma in the screening of eating disorders with the SCOFF among college students

We examined the psychometric properties of the SCOFF, a screening instrument for eating disorders, with consideration of the perceived stigma of items that can produce socially desirable responding among a sample of college students. The results of the current study suggest evidence of the sufficient psychometric properties of the SCOFF in terms of confirmatory factor and item response theory analyses. However, two items of the SCOFF revealed that individuals who otherwise endorsed other items of the SCOFF were less likely to endorse the items of Fat and Food. It is hypothesized that this is the result of perceived stigma regarding those two items that prompts individuals to respond in a socially desirable way. A weighted scoring procedure was developed to counteract the performance of these two items, but the psychometric performance was only slightly better and there would be a clear tradeoff of specificity over sensitivity if utilized. Future research should consider other ways to counteract such perceived stigma.Level of evidence Level III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case-control analytic studies.

The worldwide prevalence of self-reported psychological and behavioral symptoms in medical students: An umbrella review and meta-analysis of meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

Medical students frequently experience a range of stressors, such as demanding academic requirements, competition and rivalry, self-doubt, and financial distress. As a result, they are at risk for psychological and behavioral symptoms (PBS) including: depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties as well as maladaptive substance use.

METHODS

To determine the degree of risk for these symptoms, 13 databases, without language restriction., were searched.

RESULTS

A total of 32 meta-analyses were included in this umbrella review. A global analysis of all self-reported PBS combined yielded a pooled prevalence rate of 30.3% [26.9%; 33.7%]; 95% PI [2.2%; 58.3%]. The highest reported prevalence was for sleep problems 42.0% [35.6%; 48.4%], followed by stress 41.7% [35.3%; 48.1%], burnout 35.8% [25.7%; 45.8%], anxiety 32.5% [27.9%; 37.1%], depression 32.5% [28.8%; 36.1%], internet addiction 26.0% [5.5%; 46.5%], substance use 25.2% [18.9%; 31.6%], eating disorders 9.8% [1.1%; 18.4%], and suicidal thoughts/gestures/acts 8.9% [4.8%; 12.9%]. The prevalence estimates were deemed acceptable for all PBS.

CONCLUSION

The evidence shows that fully one-third of medical students experience a range of problematic PBS, likely attributable to the demanding and intense study environment, the hierarchical structure of medical training facilities, and the vulnerability of the young adulthood time period. Appropriately targeted assessment and intervention efforts are clearly warranted to decrease the psychological burden of medical student training. PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42023391800. Open Science Network (OSF) Identifier: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/SXQYN.

Changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors and mental stress among medical students upon Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting: a prospective cohort study from Taif/Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a popular dietary plan for weight loss. In fact, fasting is a common practice in different religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. During the month of Ramadan, more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset. Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting (RDIF) has health benefits, including a reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and an improvement in mood. However, little is known about the effects of RDIF on lifestyle behaviors, such as regular exercise, consuming healthy diet, and avoiding harmful substances, as well as mental stress, and academic performance in high school and university students.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, two self-reported questionnaires were sent one week before and during the last week of Ramadan (April 2022; Ramadan 1443 in Hijri Islamic Calendar) to assess changes in lifestyle, perceived stress, and academic achievement of medical students at Taif University in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Healthy lifestyle components data were collected to calculate healthy lifestyle scores, including body mass index, physical activity, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, smoking status, and sleep duration.

RESULTS

RDIF was associated with a healthier lifestyle in both female and male participants (pre-RDIF mean score: 2.42 vs post-RDIF mean score: 2.74; statistical power = 0.99; P-value < 0.05). They were more active and adherent to the Mediterranean diet during RDIF. Additionally, the post-RDIF smoking rate declined by 53.4%. Male participants showed higher perceived stress scores during RDIF (pre-RDIF mean score: 19.52 vs post-RDIF mean score: 22.05; P-value < 0.01). No changes in academic performance were observed upon RDIF.

CONCLUSION

Medical students show healthier dietary and lifestyle behaviors and their academic performance is not affected during RDIF. However, perceived stress is higher among male students.

Association between Eating Habits and Sodium Intake among Chinese University Students

(1) Background: Insufficient evidence exists regarding the dietary habits that may contribute to high sodium intake among college students in China. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the dietary sodium intake of college students in Hunan and its association with their dietary habits. (2) Methods: In total, 585 university students from Hunan were recruited for this study. The sodium Food Frequency Questionnaire (sodium-FFQ) and dietary habits were assessed. (3) Results: Excluding cooking salt and high-sodium seasonings, the daily dietary sodium intake among college students in Changsha, Hunan Province, was 1183.74 (563.38, 2054.86) mg/day. A vast majority (89%) of college students reported eating outside of school at least once a week, and approximately one-third (34%) ordered takeaways at least once a week. After adjusting for confounding factors, the associations between the frequency of eating out and ordering takeaways with college students' sodium intake remained significant. (4) Conclusions: The findings indicate that excessive dietary sodium intake among college students in Hunan is a growing concern. College students who frequently eat out and order takeaways tend to have a higher sodium intake. Future research should focus on identifying the main sources of dietary sodium and developing interventions that promote healthy dietary habits among college students.

The prevalence and risk factors of screen-based disordered eating among university students: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review was to estimate the prevalence of screen-based disordered eating (SBDE) and several potential risk factors in university undergraduate students around the world.

METHODS

An electronic search of nine data bases was conducted from the inception of the databases until 1st October 2021. Disordered eating was defined as the percentage of students scoring at or above established cut-offs on validated screening measures. Global data were also analyzed by country, research measure, and culture. Other confounders in this review were age, BMI, and sex.

RESULTS

Using random-effects meta-analysis, the mean estimate of the distribution of effects for the prevalence of SBDE among university students (K = 105, N = 145,629) was [95% CI] = 19.7% [17.9%; 21.6%], I2 = 98.2%, Cochran's Q p value = 0.001. Bayesian meta-analysis produced an estimate of 0.24, 95% credible intervals [0.20, 0.30], τ = 92%. Whether the country in which the students were studying was Western or non-Western did not moderate these effects, but as either the mean BMI of the sample or the percentage of the sample that was female increased, the prevalence of SBDE increased.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support previous studies indicating that many undergraduate students are struggling with disordered eating or a diagnosable eating disorder, but are neither receiver effective prevention nor accessing accurate diagnosis and available treatment. It is particularly important to develop ever more valid ways of identifying students with high levels of disordered eating and offering them original or culturally appropriate and effective prevention or early treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

I, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Eating disorders among middle school students in a Chinese population: Prevalence and associated clinical correlates

INTRODUCTION

Eating disorders are regarded to be associated with many psychological and behavioral problems. Moreover, adolescence has been reported to be the key period for developing eating habits, and eating disorders typically emerge in adolescence and early adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of eating disorders and explore the associated factors among adolescents in Hunan province, China METHODS: A total of 1610 middle school students from Hunan province, China, were enrolled in this study. The participants were aged from 11 to 16 years old. The following data were collected: demographic variables, Body Mass Index (BMI), suicidal behaviors, non-suicidal self-injury, depression, anxiety, stress (depression - anxiety - stress scale, DASS-21), childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, CTQ), symptoms of social anxiety (Social Anxiety Scale-Adolescents, SAS-A), and eating problems (Eating Attitudes Test, EAT-26).

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence of eating disorders was 8.9%. Compared with participants without eating disorders, participants with eating disorders were more likely to be at a younger age, obese and overweight, and have a history of non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans, suicide attempts, emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect; more likely to experience stress, anxiety or depression as well as have high scores of social avoidance and distress related to general social contexts. Anxiety, emotional neglect, physical neglect, obesity, and overweight were still significant in the binary logistic regression model after controlling for confounding factors. Additionally, younger age, emotional abuse, physical abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, social avoidance, and distress related to general social contexts were significantly correlated with the EAT-26 scores in correlation analysis CONCLUSIONS: Eating disorders are quite common among middle school students. Moreover, eating disorders are associated with younger age, non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, stress, anxiety, depression, emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, social avoidance, and distress related to general social contents and BMI. This study provides a reference for school counselors and clinicians in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.

[Prevalence and factors associated with eating disorders in Peruvian Human Medicine students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre study]

INTRODUCTION

Eating disorders (ED) are serious conditions that have diverse consequences, associated with high morbidity and mortality: Among the factors associated with their development are, being female, and stress, which increased during the pandemic, and was higher in medical students. Our objective was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with ED in medical students.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study, conducted with an online questionnaire, between January 1 and 31, 2021, in 22 universities, using the Eating Disorder Scale (EAT-26) and the Family Communication Scale (FCS). Generalized logistic regressions were used to identify the association between variables.

RESULTS

A total of 1224 participants were recruited, and the prevalence was 12.5%. Associated factors included a poor perception of health in 34.3%, having a family and/or social environment member with an eating disorder in 21.7%, and medium or low satisfaction with family communication in 57.3% and 34.9% respectively, in addition to the academic year, dieting, concern for body image and the perception of inadequate eating.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1-2 out of 10 Human Medicine students had an ED. The associated factors that influenced development of the condition included a fair or poor perception of health, the academic year completed, and medium or low satisfaction with family communication.

The prevalence of feeding and eating disorders symptomology in medical students: an updated systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

PURPOSE

Medical students have a higher risk of developing psychological issues, such as feeding and eating disorders (FEDs). In the past few years, a major increase was observed in the number of studies on the topic. The goal of this review was to estimate the prevalence risk of FEDs and its associated risk factors in medical students.

METHODS

Nine electronic databases were used to conduct an electronic search from the inception of the databases until 15^th September 2021. The DerSimonian-Laird technique was used to pool the estimates using random-effects meta-analysis. The prevalence of FEDs risk in medical students was the major outcome of interest. Data were analyzed globally, by country, by research measure and by culture. Sex, age, and body mass index were examined as potential confounders using meta-regression analysis.

RESULTS

A random-effects meta-analysis evaluating the prevalence of FEDs in medical students (K = 35, N = 21,383) generated a pooled prevalence rate of 17.35% (95% CI 14.15-21.10%), heterogeneity [Q = 1528 (34), P = 0.001], τ² = 0.51 (95% CI 0.36-1.05), τ = 0.71 (95% CI 0.59-1.02), I² = 97.8%; H = 6.70 (95% CI 6.19-7.26). Age and sex were not significant predictors. Body mass index, culture and used research tool were significant confounders.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of FEDs symptoms in medical students was estimated to be 17.35%. Future prospective studies are urgently needed to construct prevention and treatment programs to provide better outcomes for students at risk of or suffering from FEDs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, systematic review and meta-analysis.

The relationship between the risk of eating disorder and meal patterns in University students

PURPOSE

This study was carried out to evaluate the relation between meal patterns and the risk of eating disorders in university students.

METHODS

The study was conducted on a total of 331 volunteer students with a mean age of 22.08 ± 1.80 years, 56.5% female. Participants' sociodemographic characteristics, health information and eating habits like meal skipping and dieting were questioned. Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) Eating Disorders Scale and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were used to determine eating behavior disorders, with face to face interviews by the researches.

RESULTS

A significant correlation was found between dieting and skipping meals and the risk of eating disorders in both genders (p < 0.05). In addition, when the reasons for skipping meals were questioned, a significant relationship was detected between skipping meals and eating behaviour disorders by 3.285 times (p = 0.000). Also, every unit of increase in body mass index (BMI) values of individuals who participated to the study led to an increase in eating disorders by a factor of 1.262 (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support concerns about the negative health effects of increasing overweight among university students in accordance with the data that the increase in BMI values led to an increase in eating disorders. Notably a significant correlation was found between dieting, skipping meals and the risk of eating disorders in both genders it is highlighting the need for monitoring and early diagnosis of eating disorders in youth with simple scales like SCOFF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Eating habits are associated with subjective sleep quality outcomes among university students: findings of a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

This study investigated the relationships between eating habits and sleep quality among university students.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, university students completed a self-report questionnaire to assess eating habits and meal timing. We assessed subjective sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and examined the associations between eating habits and overall sleep quality and its components.

RESULTS

Four hundred ninety-eight students participated in the study. Students who used to skip breakfast, ate late-night snacks, and replaced meals with snacks were at 1.20 times, 1.24 times, and 1.25 times higher likelihood of having poor overall sleep quality, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that skipping breakfast (r =  - 0.111, P = 0.007), late-night snacks (r =  - 0.109, P = 0.007), replacing meals with snacks (r =  - 0.126, P = 0.002), and irregular mealtimes (r =  - 0.094, P = 0.018) were the best correlates with poor sleep quality. After adjustment to demographic variables, replacing meals with snacks followed by skipping breakfast were the best independent associations with poor sleep quality by the PSQI.

CONCLUSIONS

Eating habits and meal timing were significantly associated with sleep quality. We speculate that healthy eating habits may lead to improved sleep quality and sleep components among university students.

Relationship between eating disorders and internet and smartphone addiction in college students

PURPOSE

This study was planned and conducted to determine the relation between eating behavior disorder and smartphones and the internet in college students.

METHODS

This research was performed on a total of 437 college students, including 116 males and 321 females. A questionnaire questioning the general characteristics (age, sex, department, socioeconomic status, skipping meal, number of main meals and snacks in a day, sleeping duration, doing physical activity, height, and body weight) of students was used. In addition, Eating Attitude Test-40 (EAT-40), Young's Internet Addiction Scale, and Smartphone Addiction Scale were used to measure eating behavior disorders, internet addiction, and smartphone addiction, respectively. Height and body weight were measured in accordance with the method.

RESULTS

12.6% of the students participating in the study were at risk for eating disorders. Female students had higher EAT-40 scores than male students. 13% of students had potential internet addiction. According to Pearson chi-square test, the prevalence of potential internet addiction (36.4%) in students with eating disorder was higher than those without eating disorder (9.7%) (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analyses displayed that Smartphone Addiction Test score associated positively with EAT-40 score (r = 0.277) and Internet Addiction Test score (r = 0.665) and students' body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.121). In addition to these, students' duration of staying on the internet correlated with their BMI (r = 0.137). Males had a higher rate of potential internet addiction than females (22.4% in males and 9.7% in females, respectively) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that students' duration of using the internet affects smartphone addiction and internet addiction, both of which influence eating behavior disorder. In addition, both smartphone and internet addiction and eating behavior disorder correlated positively and significantly with overweight.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V: cross-sectional descriptive study.

Orthorexia Nervosa: differences between clinical and non-clinical samples

BACKGROUND

Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a construct characterized by behaviors, emotions, and beliefs on eating healthy food and excessive attention to diet; moreover, dieting has been considered a risk factor in ON symptoms development. The principal aim of this study was to investigate the differences in clinical and non-clinical groups most at risk of ON. Aspects that could be associated with ON (Eating Disorders [EDs], obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, perfectionistic traits, anxiety, depression, Body Mass Index [BMI]) were investigated in all groups.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 329 adults belonging to four different groups. Three were on a diet: Anorexia/Bulimia Nervosa group (N = 90), Obesity/Binge Eating Disorder group (N = 54), Diet group (N = 91). The Control group consisted of people who were not following a diet (N = 94). Participants completed several self-administered questionnaires (EHQ-21, EDI-3, OCI-R, MPS, BAI, BDI-II) to assess ON-related features in different groups.

RESULTS

Analyses highlighted higher orthorexic tendencies in Anorexia/Bulimia Nervosa, Obesity/BED, and Diet groups than in the Control group. Moreover, results have shown that in the AN/BN group, eating disorders symptomatology and a lower BMI were related to ON and that in Obesity/Binge Eating Disorder and Diet groups, perfectionism traits are associated with ON.

CONCLUSION

Individuals who pursue a diet share some similarities with those who have an eating disorder regarding emotions, behaviors, and problems associated with orthorexic tendencies. Moreover, perfectionistic traits seem to predispose to higher ON tendencies. In general, these results confirm the ON as an aspect of the main eating disorders category.

Association between dental fear and eating disorders and Body Mass Index among Finnish university students: a national survey

Background

Little is known about the association between eating disorders (ED) and dental fear. This study investigated the association between dental fear and EDs through body mass index (BMI), and SCOFF (sick, control, one stone, fat, food) questionnaire among Finnish university students. We hypothesised that dental fear is associated with EDs and BMI.

Methods

We used the latest data from the Finnish University Student Health Survey 2016. This survey targeted undergraduate Finnish students (n = 10,000) of academic universities and universities of applied sciences. We enquired about e.g. age, gender, height, weight, educational sector and perceived mental well-being. We used the SCOFF questionnaire to assess those at risk for developing EDs. The question ‘Do you feel scared about dental care?’ enquired about dental fear. We used the chi-square test and gender-specific logistic regression to analyse the associations between dental fear, EDs and BMI controlling for age, educational sector and mental well-being.

Results

In total, 3110 students participated in the study. Overall 7.2% of the students reported high dental fear and 9.2% scored SCOFF positive; more women than men reported high dental fear (11.2% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001) and scored positive on SCOFF (14.2% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001). Gender modified the association between dental fear and EDs and BMI. Among females, when controlling for educational sector and BMI, those with positive SCOFF score were more likely to have high dental fear than those with negative SCOFF score (OR = 1.6; CI = 1.0–2.4). After adding perceived mental well-being to the gender-specific regression analyses, overweight and obese males, BMI ≥ 25 (OR = 2.4; CI 1.3–4.4) and females with poor to moderate mental well-being (OR = 2.1; CI 1.4–2.9) were more likely than their counterparts to have high dental fear.

Conclusions

Among the Finnish university students BMI in males and problems of mental well-being in females were positively associated with high dental fear. The results of this study support possible common vulnerability factors that dental fear and other psychological disorders may share.

Prevalence of Eating Disorders Among Medical Students in a Lebanese Medical School: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Eating disorders are among the most severe psychiatric disorders. Medical students are subjected to high levels of stress and have a high risk of developing burnout and mental health problems, including eating disorders. Due to societal stigma and lack of awareness, it is plausible that disordered eating behaviors among students may go unrecognized and under-reported. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and possible factors associated with eating disorders among medical students at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon (AUB).

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2017 at AUB. Electronic anonymous surveys were sent to all 412 medical students, with a mean age of 23, enrolled in our four-year medical school. In addition to demographic data, students were asked to complete two validated questionnaires, the SCOFF and EAT-26, to assess eating disorders risk.

RESULTS

Total responses were 156, out of which 124 completed the whole survey. A total of 131 participants completed the Eat-26 questionnaire and 124 participants completed the SCOFF questionnaire. Out of those, 17% on EAT-26 and 19% on SCOFF were found to be at high risk of developing eating disorders.

CONCLUSION

There seems to be a high level of underrecognized and under-treated disordered eating behaviors among female medical students at AUB. Raising awareness among medical students is important, as well as developing better prevention and treatment strategies.