<p>Eating disorders among Moroccan medical students: cognition and behavior</p>

Abstract

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.

Eating Disorder Among Malaysian University Students and Its Associated Factors

“…3 Furthermore, a study conducted among 710 medical students in Morocco reported a prevalence of 32.8%. 4 In Malaysia, a study conducted among 279 medical students reported prevalence of eating disorder, which was 42.7%, 5 meanwhile, another study among 263 medical students found that 11% of the students were at risk of developing eating disorder. 6 Several risk factors are associated with eating disorder, including individual self-perception on ideal body weight and the influence of family members, peers, and the media.…”

“…6 Individuals with self-perception of overweight body and having a high BMI were found to have symptoms of eating disorder. 4 Among normal weight adolescents, 53.3% felt their weight was not normal. 11 The desire to lose weight is a strong predictor of eating disorder as well.…”

Disordered eating: The psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Eating Attitudes Test-8

“…EAT-8 is the short form of EAT-26. [ 33 ] It is an 8-item self-report tool which assesses problematic eating and is scored through two-item format (approximately agree[ 1 ], and approximately disagree [0]). Reliability and validity of questionnaire were reported desirable.…”

“…Eating disorders are complicated and multifactorial diseases which are related to various parameters such as biological, growth, psychological, and sociocultural factors. [ 1 ] Eating disorders are considerably correlated with psychological and physical disorders[ 2 ] and are associated with increase in mortality[ 3 ] and suicide[ 4 ] and impose significant financial burden on the health system. [ 5 ] Mortality rate for these patients is higher than patients with other psychiatric diseases,[ 6 ] and it is estimated that it is responsible for 12 times greater rate for other causes in women aged 15–45 years.…”

“…[ 16 ] Students are among those individuals with high risk of eating disorders and one-third of medicine students are affected. [ 1 ] Students are prone to high risk of eating disorders due to high educational stress, high burden of duties, need for continuous learning, and exposing to illness. [ 17 18 19 20 21 22 ] Undesirable attitude to eating and problematic eating are common among students.…”