Eating disorder symptoms among adolescent boys and girls in Iran

Abstract

Objective: Few studies of eating disorder (ED) symptoms among young people in Iran have been conducted. This cross-sectional study examined ED symptoms, assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Method: Adolescent boys (n = 498) and girls (n = 607) aged 12-19 years, recruited from schools in four different regions of Iran, completed a survey that included the EDE-Q. ED symptoms, namely, EDE-Q global scores and the occurrence of specific ED behaviors, were compared between boys and girls. Results: Girls had higher global scores and were more likely to report regular extreme dietary restriction than boys (16.6 vs. 12.0%). The effect sizes for these differences were small. The regular occurrence of other behaviors (girls vs. boys-binge eating: 21.1 vs. 18.8%; self-induced vomiting: 3.3 vs. 5.4%; laxative misuse: 6.1 vs. 7.6%; excessive exercise: 5.3 vs. 4.4%) did not significantly differ by gender. Twelve percent of boys and 12.9% of girls met criteria for an operational definition of "probable ED case." Conclusion: ED symptoms appear to be relatively common among Iranian adolescent boys and girls. Programs designed to reduce the occurrence and adverse impact of these symptoms may therefore be increasingly important.

Introduction to a special issue on eating disorders in Asia

“…Perhaps most alarmingly, Chua, Fitzsimmons-Craft, Austin, Wilfley, and Taylor (2021) studied the estimated prevalence of EDs in Singapore, reporting that while approximately 6% screened positive for a clinical ED, a further 37% screened positive for other specified feeding or eating disorder, and another 19% were at high risk for developing an ED. Interestingly, there were few gender differences in the estimated prevalence of EDs and ED behaviors in Singapore (Chua et al, 2021) or Iran (Sahlan, Saunders, Mond, & Fitzsimmons-Craft, 2021b).…”

Eating disorder and social anxiety symptoms in Iranian preadolescents: a network analysis

“…Although once thought to be an exclusively Western phenomenon, research over the past two decades highlights the severity of ED symptoms and ED symptoms clinical impairment among children, adolescents and college samples in Iran [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]. Within the Iranian context, there are some similarities and differences in ED symptoms across sex [41,42]. For example, adolescent girls had higher dietary restriction compared with boys; however, probable ED symptoms, binge and purge behaviors were comparable across sex [41].…”

“…Within the Iranian context, there are some similarities and differences in ED symptoms across sex [41,42]. For example, adolescent girls had higher dietary restriction compared with boys; however, probable ED symptoms, binge and purge behaviors were comparable across sex [41]. Another study on children and adolescents, aged 6-18, indicated that with exception of other EDs, binge eating disorder (BED) was higher in boys than girls [37].…”

Risk Factors for Eating Disorders and Perception of Body in Young Adults Associated with Sex

“…The latter is explained by the following multifactorial determinants: (1) physiological factors related to adolescence and a greater increase in adipose tissue among girls during this period and (2) psychological factors related to females sharing a greater need to compete and focus on their look and sexual appearance. Girls have a tendency to delay the puberty process by refusing to eat [ 11 ].…”