Makki N, Althubyani SA, Mobarki RQ, Alsayed JA, Almohammadi RJ, Baabdullah RA. The Effect of Sociocultural Attitudes on Developing Eating Disorders Among Young Females in Almadinah Almunawarah, Saudi Arabia.
Cureus 2023;
15:e50576. [PMID:
38226108 PMCID:
PMC10789473 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.50576]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Eating disorders (ED) are believed to be more susceptible in women due to varied factors involving dissatisfaction with their body and appearance. The exact cause of ED isn't known. But it may be triggered by biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors.
OBJECTIVES
The current literature aims to explore the body dissatisfaction of women from Almadinah Almunawarah and factors that may contribute to developing risk of ED and assess the discrepancies between desired and healthy BMI.
METHODS
The Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) questionnaire surveyed 384 females to explore family, peer, and media pressure, followed by the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) questionnaire to recognize those at risk of developing ED. The body dissatisfaction of the sample was measured by the difference between the healthy BMI and the desired BMI.
RESULTS
A total of 127 of the participants, who were reported to have a high probability of developing an ED, had the highest factor scored in the SATAQ-4 questionnaire being media exposure with a p-value less than 0.001. The study showed a difference in the ideal body and what is considered a healthy BMI. Results showed no correlation between BMI and developing ED.
DISCUSSION
Women of younger age groups are more vulnerable to being under the influence of sociocultural attitudes, thus they are more susceptible to developing risky eating behaviors. This can be affected by family, peers, and media factors.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study show a high prevalence of risky eating behaviors, particularly among those who experience family and media pressure toward body shape and weight. Peer pressure was also identified as a significant risk factor. These findings emphasize the need for interventions that target sociocultural attitudes and provide support for vulnerable individuals.
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