Eating disorders among medical students of a rural teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders are complex psychiatric syndromes in that can lead to significant and potentially life threatening medical and nutrition complications. Literature from India in this regard is restricted and issues such as eating attitudes and body shape dissatisfaction remain unexplored in the Indian setting. It has been argued that eating disorders are culture-bound disorders specific to western societies. Consequently, these conditions remain understudied in most non-western settings. Objectives: 1) To determine the prevalence of eating disorders and body shape perception among medical students. 2) To assess any association between eating disorders and body shape perception. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 medical students using Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Anthropometric measurements like height, weight was done for body mass index calculation and analysis was done with open Epi and Microsoft excel. Results: An overall prevalence of overweight was calculated to be 17.4% and obesity, 6.4%. The prevalence of eating disorder symptoms and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in our study was 16.9% and a significant correlation between distorted eating attitudes and age with body shape dissatisfaction was found. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is on rise and a comparable level of eating disorders was observed. It is recommended to assess BMI along with the body shape concerns while screening for eating disorders among medical students.

Body image perception, eating attitude and influence of media among undergraduate students of medical college in Delhi: a cross sectional study

“…A positive correlation between body shape dissatisfaction and eating attitude was found in Indian medical students and female nursing students. 15,21 In another study on medical students a high score on BSQ (body shape questionnaire) scale was found to be a significant predictor of eating (disorder) morbidity. 29 In the US, one longitudinal study, found a strong and consistent relationship between body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight control behaviours such as dieting, pills, laxatives in 2516 males and female adolescents.…”

“…Comparing this results to other studies in India, which reported a prevalence of abnormal eating attitude as16.9%, 29.2%, 26.67%. [21][22][23] There was a wide variation in prevalence found in other countries, e.g. China: 4.5%, Spain: 7.8%, Singapore: 10.5%, Brazil: 13.3%, South Africa: 21.2%, US: 22-26%, Japan: 35%, Turkey: 45.2%.…”

“…Previous studies on abnormal body image perception have also mostly concluded that it is seen more in females. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] However, Boutahar K did not find any gender difference in body image perception in Moroccan university students. 18 But an interesting finding to note in the present study was that males more than females had an abnormal eating attitude and felt the media pressure to attain an ideal body, the latter being statistically significant (p=0.039).…”

Gender Differences in Body Mass Index, Body Weight Perception, weight satisfaction, disordered eating and Weight control strategies among Indian Medical and Nursing Undergraduates

“…(11) However, there is dearth of literature available among health science students. (12) In addition, there are no studies that examined gender differences related to eating behaviors from India. Thus, the present study was aimed to assess gender differences in Body Mass Index, body weight perception, weight satisfaction, disordered eating and weight control strategies among Indian Medical and Nursing Undergraduates…”

Eating Disorders: An Overview of Indian Research

“…[5057] Further, food restriction is culturally sanctioned in Indian culture when one is unwell, for “cleansing the bowel.”[36] However, several recent studies show an association between perception of body shape and higher scores on EAT-26. [182224] This could be explained by the ongoing rapid societal transitions in India and the increasing influence of western ideals.…”