Introduction and aimEating disorders (EDs) are complex, multifactorial diseases linked to biological, developmental, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Medical students are among subjects at high risk of EDs. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate EDs among 710 Moroccan medical students with a focus on cognition and behavior related to EDs.MethodsSociodemographic, economic, and clinical data were collected. Validated questionnaires, such as the SCOFF (Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food) questionnaire and the Eating Disorder Inventory 2 (EDI2), were administered.ResultsThe male:female ratio was 0.53, mean age was 21±2 years, 11.1% of participants were underweight, 13.4% were overweight, and 1.8% were obese. A middle socioeconomic level was found in 84.9% of cases. The prevalence of EDs in students was 32.8% (37.6% among females and 23.7% among males) and that of weight-control behaviors 18.5%. Increased body-mass index values were significantly associated with dieting (P<0.001), fasting (P=0.044), and the use of appetite suppressants (P=0.037).ConclusionIt appears that the impact of EDs is high, affecting a third of medical students, with significant use of harmful weight-control behaviors. We also found that dimensions of bulimia, perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, and ineffectiveness, parts of the core of EDs, were found in future medical practitioners.

Abstract. This research aims to create and manage a database structure to record, analyze and produce spatial and attribute data on the caves of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The database model is developed as a Geodatabase for use in ArcGIS. Traditionally, cave scientists, or speleologists, have collected various data in multiple formats. In many cases, researchers collect the same data using different methodologies. This is undesirable, not only from the repetition of work, but perhaps more important because many more scientifically interesting caves are fragile environments that they cannot tolerate the collection of additional and especially redundant data. In addition, the geodatabase provides a common data format for sharing and sharing data between researchers.