Eating disorder features in indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Peoples

Abstract

BackgroundObesity and related cardiovascular and metabolic conditions are well recognized problems for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. However, there is a dearth of research on relevant eating disorders (EDs) such as binge eating disorder in these groups.MethodsData were obtained from interviews of 3047 (in 2005) and 3034 (in 2008) adults who were participants in a randomly selected South Australian household survey of individuals' age > 15 years. The interviewed comprised a general health survey in which ED questions were embedded. Data were weighted according to national census results and comprised key features of ED symptoms.ResultsIn 2005 there were 94 (85 weighted) First Australian respondents, and in 2008 65 (70 weighted). Controlling for secular differences, in 2005 rates of objective binge eating and levels of weight and shape influence on self-evaluation were significantly higher in indigenous compared to non-indigenous participants, but no significant differences were found in ED features in 2008.ConclusionsWhilst results on small numbers must be interpreted with caution, the main finding was consistent over the two samples. For First Australians ED symptoms are at least as frequent as for non-indigenous Australians.

Socioeconomic Correlates of Eating Disorder Symptoms in an Australian Population-Based Sample

“…Our findings indicate that indigenous Australians are certainly not immune from disordered eating, with rates of each feature assessed being equivalent to those of the non-indigenous sample. The results of this study mirror those of the only other study assessing the prevalence of ED features in indigenous Australians [ 26 ], which also found rates of ED features to be comparable between indigenous and non-indigenous participants. Furthermore, these findings are consistent with studies of indigenous peoples from other nations.…”

“…A study comparing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in BN delivered in person versus via telemedicine found that CBT via telemedicine had comparable outcomes to face-to-face CBT and was readily accepted by patients [ 40 ]. Finally, as this study and other research [ 26 , 37 ] have shown disordered eating behaviours to occur at similar rates amongst indigenous and non-indigenous persons, it is vital that culturally sensitive ED services with staff who have been trained and are experienced in the treatment of indigenous persons are made available, especially considering the high burden of obesity and weight-related health problems in this population.…”

“…Despite the well-known high prevalence of weight-related health problems in Indigenous Australians [ 25 ] and the association between BED and BN, and obesity [ 6 ], little research has been conducted to investigate disordered eating in this group. At the time of writing, there is only one study on this topic: an epidemiological study [ 26 ] conducted using data from two surveys of the South Australian population, the first collected in 2005 and the second in 2008. Hay and Carriage found that ED features–binge eating, overvaluation of body weight/shape, extreme dieting and compensatory weight control behaviours–occurred in indigenous persons at a rate similar to that of non-indigenous Australians after controlling for age, body weight and income levels.…”

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders

“…However, epidemiologic evidence indicates that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are no less likely, and may be more likely, to experience an eating disorder as non-indigenous Australians (Hay and Carriage, 2012). However, epidemiologic evidence indicates that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are no less likely, and may be more likely, to experience an eating disorder as non-indigenous Australians (Hay and Carriage, 2012).…”

Prevalence of DSM-5 diagnostic threshold eating disorders and features amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples (First Australians)

“…The authors suggested that compared to the non-Indigenous population, a relatively higher proportion of First Australians reported binge eating, subjective binge eating and purging behaviours. These data were limited by the sample size (total n = 3047, First-Australians n = 85) and that eating disorders to the diagnostic threshold level were not assessed [5]. A systematic synthesis of population health data in adolescent First Australians suggested eating disorders were more likely to affect non-Indigenous Australians compared to First Australians, and were more likely to affect First Australians in urban areas compared to remote areas, as no eating disorder cases were identified in remote areas [6].…”