Eating Disorders Among Primary Health Care Attendees in Jeddah city, Epidemiology and Risk Factors. Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: An eating disorder refers to states in which food and nourishment have a manipulative role in regulating the body's appearance. The most common forms are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified (ED-NOS). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with eating disorders among Saudi attendees of PHCCs in Jeddah city during 2006. Objectives of the research: To estimate the prevalence of eating disorders among Saudi attendees of PHCCs in Jeddah and to identify risk factors associated with eating disorders in Jeddah city. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional analytic study among PHC attendees of the Ministry of Health in Jeddah city starting from August 2006 up to January 2007. It included Saudi males and females aged 15-45 attending the selected centers. A sample size of at least 267 individuals was estimated. Multi-stage sampling was used to ensure representativeness. (Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food) (SCOFF), and eating disorder screen for primary care questionnaires (ESP) were the tools used for data collection. Results: The prevalence of eating disorders among the study population was 13.7Percentage using ESP and 8.9Percentage using the SCOFF questionnaire. The prevalence of eating disorders using the ESP questionnaire was 7.6Percentage among men and 19.5Percentage among women. While using the SCOFF questionnaire, the prevalence was 6.1Percentage among men and 11.6Percentage among women. There was a significant association between eating disorders and a history of abuse, eating alone, and considering oneself thin (P- value= 0.001, 0.00, and 0.008, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of eating disorders in Jeddah is comparable to prevalence rates reported by studies in western societies and somewhat higher than what has been reported in the region.