A comparative study of South Asian and non‐Asian referrals to an eating disorders service in Leicester, UK

Abstract

Literature on eating disorders (EDs) among South Asian people in Britain is limited. In an extension of an earlier study, referrals to the Leicester Adult Eating Disorders Service were examined between 1991 and 2005. All South-Asians presenting to the service were compared on age, gender and diagnosis with non-Asians. Female Asian patients diagnosed as bulimia nervosa and ED not otherwise specified were compared on a larger number of variables with the same number of non-Asian patients matched for diagnosis. As there were only six Asian patients with anorexia nervosa they were excluded from this comparison. Only 4.5% of female patients were Asian, as opposed to 13.8% of the local young female population in the most recent UK census. Overall, Asian women were significantly younger than the non-Asians but did not differ significantly with regard to clinical features or treatment variables. Asians are under-represented amongst women presenting to the service. The explanation for this remains uncertain. Overall, Asian sufferers who reach secondary specialist services closely resemble non-Asian patients.

Exploring barriers to South Asian help-seeking for eating disorders

“…As the number of people from the SA community attending ED specialised services is low (Abbas et al , 2010), the main aim of this study was to identify the barriers for help-seeking.…”

“…Despite these findings, referrals from members of this community to specialist ED services covering large SA populations are under-represented (Abbas et al, 2010, Waller et al, 2009, Button et al, 1998. However, on referral to such services, no significant clinical differences between the SA and non-South Asian women have been found (Abbas et al, 2010). Waller and colleagues (2009) hypothesised that the low number of SA people accessing ED specialist services may be explained by the lack of identification at primary care level.…”

“…Bhugra and Bhui’s (2003) study amongst teenagers in London showed differences across cultural groups with those from an “Asian” background being significantly more likely, than those from a white or African-Caribbean background, to be compulsive eaters, to fast and to think food dominated their lives. Despite these findings, referrals from members of this community to specialist ED services covering large SA populations are under-represented (Abbas et al , 2010; Waller et al , 2009; Button et al , 1998). However, on referral to such services, no significant clinical differences between the SA and non-SA women have been found (Abbas et al , 2010).…”

“…Despite these findings, referrals from members of this community to specialist ED services covering large SA populations are under-represented (Abbas et al , 2010; Waller et al , 2009; Button et al , 1998). However, on referral to such services, no significant clinical differences between the SA and non-SA women have been found (Abbas et al , 2010).…”

Overlaps and Disjunctures: A Cultural Case Study of a British Indian Young Woman’s Experiences of Bulimia Nervosa

“…However, in terms of intersections between cultural background and healthcare participation, there are also wider structural contexts to be acknowledged. A UK comparative study of referrals to an eating disorders service in Leicestershire between 1991 and 2005 of South Asian and Non South Asian individuals showed that the proportion of referrals for female South Asian individuals was much lower than expected when compared to the population of the city (Abbas et al 2010). Other studies have shown that ethnic minorities are less likely to be referred for the treatment of eating disorders in comparison to Caucasians in the UK (Waller et al 2009;Becker et al 2003).…”