Mira M. Abu-Elenin1*, Safynaz E. Shalaby1 , Alyce D. Fly2
Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.2Applied Health Sciences Department, School of Public Health, Bloomington Indiana University, USA
*Correspondence Email Address: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Background: Eating disorders are serious illnesses, lead to medical complications particularly among adolescent girls with an excessive concern about body weight and shape. Objective: The study aimed to screen for eating disorders among adolescent females and to examine its association with body weight abnormalities and body shape dissatisfaction. Subjects & Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted during two academic years 2016-2018, included 800 high school adolescent females, recruited from two urban schools and one rural school in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. An interview questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric profile. The Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) was used to assess the attitudes and behaviors associated with eating disorders (EDs). Body image satisfaction was measured using the 34-item Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34). Results: The prevalence of positive screening of eating disorders was 35.5% (n=284). Logistic regression analysis unveiled that the independent predictors of eating disorders were low educational level of parents (OR: 1.6 for fathers, 3.5 for mothers), worker mothers (OR: 6.6), increased body weight (OR: 2.5) for overweight/obese, and body shape dissatisfaction (OR: 4.9). Conclusion: Disordered eating attitudes and behaviors are prevalent among adolescent females. Periodic screening and specific management strategies targeting adolescents are required.
Keywords: Adolescent Girls, Disordered Eating Attitudes, Egypt
Citation: Mira M. Abu-Elenin, Safynaz E. Shalaby, Alyce D. Fly. Disordered Eating Attitudes, Weight Abnormalities and Body Image Perception among High school Adolescent Girls in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Canadian Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2020; 8 (1): 21-35.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2020.01.03