Disordered eating attitude and associated factors among high school adolescents aged 12–19 years in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundEating disorders are very complex, frequently developed and have a public health impact on adolescents. Different studies revealed that eating disorders is a pressing public health problem among adolescents. Eating disorders may also lead to mortality due to their physiological sequelae. There is no previous study regarding disordered of eating attitude in Ethiopian adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to assess prevalence of disordered eating attitude and its associated factors among adolescents in Addis Ababa high schools.MethodsA school-based cross sectional study was conducted. Data were collected among 836 high school adolescents aged 12–19 years from May to June, 2015 in Addis Ababa city. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire containing eating attitudes test-26 items (EAT-26) and socio-demographic factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with disordered eating attitude. Both crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio were calculated to show the strength of association. In multivariable analysis, variables with a P value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of disordered eating attitude among adolescents was 8.6% [95% CI 4.9, 12.3]. Being female [AOR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.03, 3.00], Mother’s educational status (Primary [AOR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.11, 0.78], Certificate/diploma [AOR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.07, 0.58] and first degree and above [AOR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.07, 0.40]) were found to be significantly associated with disordered eating attitude.ConclusionThe finding of this study revealed that a significant number of adolescents were susceptible to developing disordered eating attitude. Being female and Mothers’ education status were significantly associated with disordered eating attitude among adolescents. Provision of screening test for eating disorders focusing on female adolescents is highly recommended.

Unhealthy weight control behaviors among Ethiopian female adolescents

“…In contrast, the prior Ethiopian study reported a low prevalence of disordered eating attitudes (i.e., about 9% based on the scores of EAT‐26 questioannrie) among male and female adolescents (Yirga et al, ). The main reason for such divergent finding is due to the use of different instruments in measuring disordered eating, and variation in measuring the frequency and duration of behaviors.…”

“…The main reason for such divergent finding is due to the use of different instruments in measuring disordered eating, and variation in measuring the frequency and duration of behaviors. For instance, this study measured the frequency of purging and nonpurging behaviors in the last month, while the prior study measured attitudes related to dieting, bulimia, and oral control on the 6‐point Likert scale (Yirga et al, ). Future reserach is recommended to evaluate the psychometric properties of disordered eating instruments among Ethiopian adolescents.…”

“…Despite the volume of evidence in the global literature regarding the extent of unhealthy weight control behaviors and associated risk factors, particularly among adolescents, the majority of the studies examining these have been conducted in developed populations; this fact limits the generalizability of their results to adolescents from other countries such as Ethiopia. One such study conducted in Ethiopia reported a 8.6% prevalence of disordered eating attitudes among male and female adolescents (Yirga, Gelaw, Derso, & Wassie, ). The authors employed the Eating Attitude Test‐26 (EAT‐26) and used a cut of score of 20 or higher to classify students as having disordered eating attitude (unfavorable eating attitude).…”

Tatalaksana Pola Konsumsi Terhadap Status Gizi Anak Taman Kanak-Kanak

“…Lingkungan sosial ekonomi (Azwar, 2006 #15)k berkaitan dengan kecukupan asupan makanannya. Pendampingan saat makan, suasana rumah yang positif, dan perilaku terkait dengan makanan orang tua yang sesuai sangat berpengaruh terhadap mutu makanan anak (40,41).…”

Beslenme Ve Di̇yeteti̇k Bölümü Öğrenci̇leri̇ni̇n Yeme Tutumlarinin Karşilaştirilmasi

“…Eating attitudes and behavioural changes may on the one hand lead to the spread of obesity like an epidemic, while on the other hand, the perception of being thin and fit is trigggered (1). Among adolescents and the younger generations in particular there is a desire to be fit or to look thinner, and this can lead to negative nutritional development (2,4) along with such associated diseases as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, anorectic diseases and psychosomatic disorders. Professional groups that often engage in eating and drinking may be affected nutritionally by their profession, leading them to overeat, to refuse to eat or to consume healthy foods.…”