Prevalence and risk factors for eating disorders in Indian adolescent females

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (ED) are one of the most common psychiatric problems faced by adolescents, and are characterized by a persistent course, comorbid psychopathology, medical complications, and elevated mortality. Aims & Objective: To assess the prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in a sample of adolescent Indian females. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, 120 adolescents females (age: 13-17 years) filled out questionnaires on eating attitudes and behaviors at one independent school. ED was measured with the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT). Participants who scored ≥ 20 on the EAT were considered to have disordered eating and effect of psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental variables in individuals with and without eating disorders, were assessed. Results: Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were present in 26.67 % of adolescents girls in the sample studied. This group was significantly older, had earlier menarche and lower BMI. Mean scores and percentage scores on all the scales to assess psychological risk factors were found to be significantly higher in the ED group i.e. there were significant associations (p< 0.0001) between elevated EAT scores and dieting behavior, higher drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction, external pressures, mood susceptibility of feeding patterns, perfectionism, occurrence of negative life events and presence and adequacy of emotional support system. Conclusion: Eating disorders and subthreshold eating conditions are prevalent in a sample of adolescent girls and were strongly associated with various psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental domains. Future prospective and experimental studies are warranted to advance our understanding of the risk factors to enable better preventive programme planning.

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

“…This finding was harmonious with a study conducted in Singapore 10.5% [11]. However, the finding was lower than the results of previous studies; in Northern Israel 5% of boys and 20.8% of girls [8], Northwest Iran 24.2% [9], Tabriz City 16.7% [10], Brazil 15.76% [12], Indian 26.67% [13] and South Africa 21.2% [15]. This observed discrepancy could be due to socio-demographic and cultural variations in the study areas.…”

“…Nonetheless, according to different studies the prevalence of disordered eating attitude has been widely documented: in Northern Israel 5% of boys and 20.8% of girls [8], Northwest Iran 24.2% [9], Tabriz City 16.7% [10], Singapore 10.5% [11], Brazil 15.76% [12], Indian 26.67% [13], Jeddah 32.9% [14] and South Africa 21.2% [15] of studied adolescents had disordered eating attitude.…”

“…Besides, adolescents frequently reading magazines (Reading at least weekly) and listening to radio programs (listening more than 1 h per day) were risk for disordered eating attitude [18, 19]. High body mass index or excess weight versus normal weight was associated with an increased risk of developing disordered eating attitude [13, 14, 20]. Concerning to parents’ socio-demographic factors; fathers’ occupation (unemployed father) [8], Marital status of parents (not married) [17] and low mothers education level [11] were some important factors increasing risk of disordered eating attitude.…”

Eating disorders in South Asia: Should we be concerned?

“…A recent study of 120 schoolgirls aged 13–17 years in India found that 27% reported disordered eating behaviour, with higher EAT ‐ 26 scores significantly associated with dieting behaviours, drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction (Upadhyah et al . ). A survey of 66 psychiatrists practicing in an urban Indian town reported that two‐thirds of them had seen an ED case over the past year (Chandra et al .…”

“…It was also observed that a higher proportion of participants with a high SCOFF score were in the 16-18 years age group compared to the 19-20 year-olds (Shaikh & Kayani 2014). A recent study of 120 schoolgirls aged 13-17 years in India found that 27% reported disordered eating behaviour, with higher EAT-26 scores significantly associated with dieting behaviours, drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction (Upadhyah et al 2014). A survey of 66 psychiatrists practicing in an urban Indian town reported that two-thirds of them had seen an ED case over the past year (Chandra et al 2012).…”