Prevalence of and attitudes toward eating disorders among female nurses:

The prevalence and correlates of bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and anorexia nervosa: The Saudi National Mental Health Survey

OBJECTIVE

Limited studies have been conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on eating disorders (EDs). This study presents national epidemiological survey data on the prevalence and correlates of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED) and their association with other mental health disorders, impairment in role functioning, and individual help-seeking behaviors in the Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS).

METHOD

A face-to-face survey was conducted in a nationally representative household sample of Saudi citizens aged 15-65 (n = 4004). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0) was used to produce estimates of lifetime and 12-month prevalence and treatment of common DSM-IV mental disorders.

RESULTS

Twelve-month prevalence of any of the three EDs was 3.2%; the overall lifetime prevalence was 6.1%. Education and marital status were significantly associated with both 12-month and lifetime EDs prevalence. Significant mental health comorbidities associated with 12-month EDs were anxiety, mood, and impulse-control disorders, while lifetime EDs were significantly related to all disorders. A similar percentage of respondents that reported having ED-related treatment at some point in their lifetime utilized healthcare and nonhealthcare sector. There was a significant relationship between body mass index category, and lifetime BED and BN.

DISCUSSION

The 12-month prevalence of EDs in the Saudi population was higher than the EDs rates reported worldwide. These findings can help healthcare experts, and policymakers in the implementation of initiatives for raising awareness of EDs among the Saudi population, and the development of a country-wide plan for the prevention of EDs.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The study presents data on the prevalence, correlates, and help-seeking behaviors of AN, BN, and BED, in the Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS). Obtaining information on this underrepresented region is essential due to the large differences in cross-national data in addition to cultural beliefs about mental illness and treatment seeking to exert an important influence on eating disorders. Such knowledge could provide a better understand of mechanisms underlying the development of eating disorders and thereby improve prediction, prevention, and treatment.

Prevalence, correlates, and gender disparities related to eating disordered behaviors among health science students and healthcare practitioners in Lebanon: Findings of a national cross sectional study

Background

The raised prevalence of eating disorders (ED) amongst health science students and health professionals is of mounting concern. This study aims to determine the prevalence and correlates of eating disorders risk amongst a sample of Lebanese health science students and healthcare practitioners of both genders.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled a convenient sample of 1,000 participants (mean age: 23 ± 5.4; females: 74.9%) from faculties of health sciences, clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals. The validated Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was used to screen for eating disorders. Anthropometric data were self-reported by respondents to assess their nutritional status.

Results

The risk of eating disorders was prevalent in 22.5% of participants. Females were at higher risk of ED compared to males p = 0.03. Eating disorders risk did not differ between students and practitioners (p = 0.3). The highest proportion of high-risk participants were students studying nutrition and practitioners (40.9%), outracing their counterparts in nursing (18.7%), medicine (17.8%), pharmacy (17.7%), and midwifery (4.9%) sciences (p = 0.02). Most high-risk participants had normal body weight (60.4%), and 28.9% were overweight (p = 0.001). Female gender, nutrition profession, and dieting were associated with increasing the odd of ED. Particularly, dieting increased the risk around five times. Further, each 3 participants over 10 were facing binge eating behavior.

Conclusion

This study uncovers an undervalued profession-related-health-disorder in Lebanese health science students and healthcare practitioners. Specific attention should be given to EDs in professional educational programmes across healthcare disciplines.

The prevalence and nutritional status of adolescent Saudi girls with disordered eating

This study on adolescents was intended to assess the prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and the nutritional status of adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia. Disordered eating attitudes and behaviour were assessed using the EAT-26. The type of eating disorder (ED) was determined using Diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. The nutritional status of the adolescent girls was determined by measuring their weight and height twice using standard protocols. The BMI-for-age and height-for-age were defined using WHO growth charts. Comparisons between adolescent girls with and without EDs were conducted using SPSS version 26. Eating disorders (EDs) were prevalent among 10⋅2 % of these girls. Other specified feeding or EDs were the most prevalent ED (7⋅6 %), followed by unspecified feeding or eating disorder (2⋅4 %). Anorexia nervosa was common among 0⋅3 % of the girls. The eating disordered adolescents were either overweight (7⋅7 %), obese (10⋅3 %), stunted (7⋅7 %) or severely stunted (2⋅6 %). ANOVA revealed that the BMI-for-age was influenced by age (P = 0⋅028), the type of ED (P = 0⋅019) and the EAT-26 (P < 0⋅0001). Pearson's correlation showed that the EAT-26 score increased significantly with the BMI (r 0⋅22, P = 0⋅0001), height (r 0⋅12, P = 0⋅019) and weight (r 0⋅22, P = 0⋅0001). The early detection of EDs among adolescents is highly recommended to reduce the risk associated with future impaired health status. Nutrition professionals must target adolescents, teachers and parents and provide nutritional education about the early signs and symptoms of ED and the benefits of following a healthy dietary pattern.