Prevalence of eating disorders assessed using eating attitudes test-26 and their relevant factors in Japanese working women

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of eating disorders and their relevant factors in Japanese women. Anonymous self-administered questionnaire surveys of 3023 working women aged 20-39 were conducted during health checkups in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka in 2012. Eating disorders were assessed using Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). The factors related to EAT-26 scores ≥20 were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. The prevalences of eating disorders among the participants with EAT-26 scores ≥20 were 2.4% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.8-2.9%] of all the participating women aged 20-39, 3.4% (95% CI: 2.5%-4.3%) of women in their 20s, and 1.2% (95% CI: 0.6%-1.8%) of women in their 30s. Logistic regression analysis showed that EAT-26 scores of ≥20 were associated with the following variables: perceived ideal BMI ≤17.5 kg/m(2) (OR: 4.55, 95% CI: 2.08-9.93), change in body weight in the previous six months (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.61-4.95), being 20-29 years of age (OR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.42-4.89), and the perception of being fat (OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.24-5.18). The prevalence of eating disorders with EAT-26 scores ≥20 was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.8%-2.9%) among Japanese working women aged 20-39. EAT-26 scores ≥20 were most closely associated with a perceived ideal BMI of ≤17.5 kg/m(2). Eating disorders may be more prevalent among women who want to lose weight to achieve a BMI of ≤17.5 kg/m(2), and these women should be carefully monitored.