Prevalence Of Abnormal Eating Attitudes Research Articles

Abnormal eating attitudes and weight-loss behaviour of adolescent girls attending a “traditional” Jewish high school in Johannesburg, South Africa

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and weight-loss behaviour in female Jewish adolescents. Teachers’ awareness of these factors and their attitudes towards a school programme to address these were also investigated.Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted.Subjects and setting: Female learners in grades 8-11 (n = 220), attending a “traditional” Jewish high school in Johannesburg were included. Teachers (n = 38) at the relevant school were also recruited.Outcome measures: A questionnaire consisting of the 26-item version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and a modified section of the USA Youth Risk Behavior Survey was completed by learners. Teachers completed a questionnaire designed by the researchers.Results: Twenty per cent of the learners (n = 43) achieved EAT-26 scores ≥ 20, suggestive of a possible eating disorder, while 30.2% (n = 65) required clinical evaluation for a potential eating disorder. Thirty-three per cent (n = 72) of the adolescent girls considered themselves to be overweight, while 64% (n = 139) were trying to lose weight at the time of the study. 19.1% (n = 42) had engaged in one or more extreme methods of weight loss in the past 12 months. Most teachers (81.6%, n = 29) underestimated the proportion of adolescent girls requiring clinical evaluation and 71.1% (n = 27) underestimated the extent of current weight-loss attempts. Almost all of the teachers (97.3%, n = 37) recognised the need to address disordered eating attitudes. However, only 34.2% of the teachers (n = 13) viewed the school as the appropriate place in which to do this, and were also prepared to participate in the programme and sacrifice class time.Conclusion: To date, no published South African literature documents the presence of abnormal eating attitudes in Jewish adolescent females in South Africa. The prevalence fell within the upper end of rates reported in studies on adolescent girls in South Africa and abroad. Teachers who participated in this study were not fully aware of the extent to which eating-related issues affected female learners. A qualitative exploration thereof could yield valuable insights.

Eating Attitudes, Depression, Parent-child Interaction, and Family Function of Adolescent Girls

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and to identify possible risk factors associated with these attitudes among Korean adolescent girls. Methods: A convenience sample of 1,126 girls aged 15 to 19 years was recruited from thirteen high schools. A self-report survey was conducted including Eating Attitude Test for diagnosing abnormal eating attitudes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression with PASW statistics 18.0. Results: Of the participants, 8.3% met the criteria for abnormal eating attitudes. Misperception of body image, depression, and high or low economical status were significantly associated with abnormal eating attitudes (OR=3.50, 95% CI=1.95~6.28; OR=5.47, 95% CI=3.17~9.44; OR=2.26, 95% CI=1.14~4.47; OR=2.41, 95% CI=1.25~4.66). Conclusion: The current study identified the family factors as well as internal ones related to abnormal eating attitudes of Korean adolescent girls. The results indicate that the most effective prevention strategies for this population would be to correct their misperception of body image and control depression. Results also suggest that further studies are necessary to develop a predictive model that could explain the influence of family factors including parent-child interaction and family function to abnormal eating attitudes.

Eating Disorders and Body Image Perception among University Students

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of eating disorders and body image among university students undertaking nutrition education. Subjects included 577 students from Gazi University, Faculty of Vocational Education, Department of Food and Nutrition Education (Group 1 n = 299) and other departments (Group 2 n = 278) which did not involve nutrition education. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), body cathexis index and anthropometric measurements were used to assess eating attitudes. The results showed that 75.9% of nutrition educated students and 83.5% of others had normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m ). 2 Thirty-four of the 577 students had an EAT-40 score over the cut-off level of 30. Thus, 14% of the nutrition educated were at high risk and 9.7% at moderate risk. Among others, 7.2% were at high risk and 13.3% at moderate risk. It was also seen that 30.1% of the nutrition educated and 29.5% of others were dissatisfied with their bodies. The mean EAT-40 score of all participants was 15.1±10.68; body cathexis score was 147.9±21.48. The difference between the two index means was not significant (p>0.05). A weak negative relationship was found between BMI, EAT-40 and the body image perception score. The results indicated that the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors was 5.9% among students. Nutrition education was found to have no effect on the occurrence of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors.

Factors Associated with Abnormal Eating Attitudes among Greek Adolescents

Objective To estimate the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among Greek adolescents and identify possible risk factors associated with these attitudes. Design Cross-sectional, school-based study. Setting Six randomly selected schools in Patras, southern Greece. Participants The study population consisted of 540 Greek students aged 13-18 years, and the response rate was 97%. Main Outcome Measure The dependent variable was scores on the Eating Attitudes Test-26, with scores ≥ 20 indicating abnormal eating attitudes. Analysis Bivariate analysis included independent Student t test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied for the identification of the predictive factors, which were associated independently with abnormal eating attitudes. A 2-sided P value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes was 16.7%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that females, urban residents, and those with a body mass index outside normal range, a perception of being overweight, body dissatisfaction, and a family member on a diet were independently related to abnormal eating attitudes. Conclusions and Implications The results indicate that a proportion of Greek adolescents report abnormal eating attitudes and suggest that multiple factors contribute to the development of these attitudes. These findings are useful for further research into this topic and would be valuable in designing preventive interventions.

Eating attitudes and body image concerns among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

Objectives: A number of socio-cultural factors have been associated with the emergence of eating disorders in non-western nations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is characterized by many, if not all of these socio-cultural factors. To date, however there have been very few studies exploring the prevalence of eating disorders symptomatology within the UAE. The present study investigates the prevalence of disordered eating attitudes within Emirati-female university students. It also explores the relationship between these attitudes and body image concerns. Design: A correlational study design was used to explore the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and their relationship with body image concerns. Method: 228 female students attending Zayed University in the UAE completed the Eating Attitudes Test 26 item version (EAT-26), along with the Figure Rating Scale: a visual scale used to assess current body size/shape estimation, preference, and dissatisfaction. Results: Exactly 24% of the sample scored above the EAT-26 cut-off, indicative of disordered eating attitudes and possible eating disorder. Additionally 74.8% of the participants were dissatisfied with their current estimated body image, furthermore disordered eating attitudes were positively correlated with body image dissatisfaction, and negatively correlated with body image ideals. Conclusions: The prevalence of disordered eating attitudes amongst the present UAE sample broadly mirrors those reported in nations where eating disorders have been widespread for decades. The widespread disordered eating attitudes in the present population may in part arise from body image dissatisfaction and ultra-thin body image ideals.

Abnormal eating attitudes in Mexican female students: A study of prevalence and sociodemographicclinical associated factors

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes (AEA) in Mexican high school and university students in the city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. By means of a transversal study with a weighted, random and multistage sampling process, we analyzed a representative sample of female students (N= 2006). The instrument was the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), validated in Mexican population and a questionnaire of sociodemographic data. The prevalence of AEA was 12.6% and its frequency was significantly higher in high school than in university students. AEA cases were uniformly distributed among public and private institutions and a highly significant relationship between substances consumption and AEA was observed. A logistic regression model for AEA was obtained. Therefore, a profile of highly AEA was built based on sociodemographic data and a solid instrument validated in Mexican population, which can be employed as a screening and secondary prevention tool to design public health programs.

Factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in Japan

To determine the prevalence rates of abnormal eating attitudes and associated risk factors among female Japanese college students. The study population was 7812 female college students in Tokyo. They were asked to fill out the Japanese version of EAT-26 and lifestyle questionnaires. 5.1% of the subjects had a total EAT-26 score above the cutoff point (>20). Multiple regression analysis found the most important factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes were distorted body image, fewer sleeping hours, irregular meal habits, cigarette smoking and more exercise. The prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in this study was lower than that of Japanese female high school students and lower than that reported for college students of both western and non-western countries. Our results suggest that body image dissatisfaction may be the most important factor associated with abnormal eating behavior.

Eating attitudes in high school students in the Philippines: a preliminary study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among high school students from Pasig Catholic College in the Philippines. Two survey questionnaires, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), were administered to 932 high school students. The height and weight of the subjects were measured, and their body mass indices (BMI) calculated. The prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes according to the EAT scores was 14.5 +/- 3.2% among males and 15.0 +/- 3.5% among females, comparable to the 7-22% found in Western countries. There was a weak correlation between the EAT scores and BMI (r=0.180, p=0.01), and between the EAT scores and Beck's Depression Inventory (r=0.187, p=0.01). The results indicate the presence of abnormal eating attitudes among Filipino high school students from Pasig Catholic College, which suggests that further study of eating disorders and their associated risks is warranted.

Actitud alimentaria anómala y su relación con la imagen corporal en una muestra urbana de adolescentes valencianos

The aims of the present research were to asses the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes in a sample of adolescents, aged 14-18, who attend secondary school in the 9th wealth area of Valencia, and analyse the relationship between such attitudes and anthropometric measurements, body self-image and diets. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) by Garner and Garfinkel, and the Body Shape Questionnaire by Cooper were used. The adolescents’ weigh and eight were measured and the Quetelet Index was calculated. Information about diets, body shape self-evaluation and wish for changing weight was collected. Prevalence of risky eating attitudes, was 19.8% for the girls (n=197) and 1,76% for the boys (n=170). The EAT scores were significantly higher for girls aged 16, the subjects who wished a body shape reduction, women who self-evaluated with overweight and obesity, girls who were on a diet during the last year and women that knew fiends and relatives going on it. The distortion of body shape was significantly higher for woman with objective overweight, women self-evaluated with overweight and obesity, women who wished a body shape reduction and women who were on a diet.

Prevalence of Abnormal Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in Hospital-Based Primary and Tertiary Care Clinics: A Window of Opportunity?

ObjectiveThe “athletic triad” of amenorrhea, os-teopenia, and eating disorders (EDs) has received increasing attention in the past decade. Adolescents may seek care for amenorrhea or other menstrual irregularity before disclosure of an eating disorder to a primary care clinician. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors in adolescent girls going to a clinic for reproductive endocrinology (RE) visits versus the prevalence in girls going for health maintenance (HM) visits. DesignAll patients aged 8–22 years going to RE or HM clinics were given a 26-item modified eating attitudes test (EAT) and two pages of questions on other eating issues and demographics. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and also from the parents of those less than 18 years of age. SettingAll subjects were seen at a hospital-based ambulatory (HM) or subspecialty (RE) clinic, with both clinics located on the same floor. ParticipantsThe study included 53 girls from the RE clinic and 108 girls from the HM clinic. All demographics were similar except that the RE patients were slightly older and had significantly more parents with masters or doctorate degrees. Main Outcome MeasuresStudy variables were compared between RE and HM groups using either the Student's t test or the Chi-‘square test, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. A score of 20 or higher on the modified EAT was correlated with a high risk of EDs and was used as a measure of prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors. ResultsModified EAT scores were 11.8±8.9 in RE patients vs 7.0±7.2 in HM patients (p < 0.001), with 10 (18.9%) RE patients and 7 (6.5%) HM patients having scores of at least 20 (p = 0.016). No differences in daily exercise, dairy consumption, or use of vomiting or laxatives to control weight were found. As expected, RE patients were significantly more likely to experience menstrual irregularities than the HM patients (p < 0.001). ConclusionsAdolescents attending a reproductive endocrinology clinic showed a higher prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors than did those going to a clinic for HM visits. Early detection of eating disorders may occur both within and outside of the primary care setting through use of a modified EAT.

Weight changes and eating attitudes of Japanese adolescents under acculturative stresses: A prospective study

An increased rate of pathological eating attitudes has been reported among the people under acculturative stresses. We therefore carried out a prospective study of eating patterns in a cohort of 144 Japanese adolescents who spent 1 year with a host family in various countries of the world. The subjects showed a statistically significant gain in standardized body weight. Although the students did not report greater prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes under acculturative stresses than before, a substantial minority of them manifested maladaptive eating patterns. Among the psychosocial variables measured before departure, personality traits of neuroticism and introversion correlated with high drive for thinness during the stay; parental overprotection, lack of interoceptive awareness, and interpersonal distrust predicted bulimic behaviors. The findings are discussed from a transcultural point of view.

Eating attitudes as related to demographic and personality characteristics: a high school survey.

A survey of 577 high school students was conducted to assess attitudes toward eating and their relationship to demographic and personality characteristics. Students completed a demographic questionnaire, and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and the Basic Personality Inventory (A-BPI). When a cut-off score of 20 on EAT-26 was applied, overall prevalence of disordered eating attitude was found to be 7.5%. Groups scoring in pathological versus normal ranges showed no significant difference in mean age, socioeconomic status or race. The former group reported significantly shorter height and lower body weight. Of the subjects, 6.06% reported weight below the 10th percentile. This subgroup did not vary from those above the 10th percentile on sociodemographic and psychopathological variables, nor in prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes. Analysis of the A-BPI data showed subjects with abnormal eating attitudes had increased psychopathology in several areas, with greater neurotic tendencies, lower self-esteem and higher levels of deviant thinking and behaviour.

Comparative study of the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among Arab female students of both London and Cairo universities.

Two matched samples of Arab female undergraduate students attending London and Cairo Universities were recruited to determine the relative prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and the effect of exposure to Western culture upon this prevalence. A positive response was reported on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) in 22% of the students in the London group and 12% in the Cairo group, indicating that abnormal attitudes occur in this non-Western population. Six cases among the London sample fulfilled diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa, but no cases of either anorexia or bulimia were identified in the Cairo sample.