Eating Disorder Risk and Common Mental Disorders in British Servicewomen: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Purpose Servicewomen are at increased risk of common mental disorders compared with Servicemen and their female civilian counterparts. The prevalence of eating disorder risk and common mental disorders, and associated risk factors, in British Servicewomen is poorly understood. Methods All women under 45 years in the UK Armed Forces were invited to complete a survey about demographics, exercise behaviours, eating behaviours, and common mental disorders. Results 3,022 women participated; 13% of participants were at high risk of an eating disorder based on BEDA-Q and FAST scores. 25% of participants had symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥ 10) and 26% had symptoms of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10). Older age was associated with a lower risk, and heavier body mass was associated with a higher risk, of eating disorders (p ≤ 0.043). Older age and higher rank were associated with a lower risk of symptoms of anxiety and depression (p ≤ 0.031) and a heavier body mass was associated with a higher risk of symptoms of depression (p ≤ 0.012). Longer habitual sleep duration was associated with a lower risk of eating disorders and symptoms of anxiety and depression (p ≤ 0.028). A higher volume of field exercise was associated with lower risk, and a higher volume of military physical training and personal physical training was associated with a higher risk, of eating disorders (p ≤ 0.024). Job role and deployment history were not associated with any outcome. Conclusions Sleeping and training habits provide potential novel targets for exploring how common mental disorders can be managed in British Servicewomen.