Eating Disorders and Associated Risk Factors among Healthcare Providers at Al-Qassim Region Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Eating Disorders are deleterious mental illnesses that manifest through harmful behaviours and patterns. Objective: The existing study was premeditated to assess the prevalence of eating disorders and identify potential risk factors among healthcare providers in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Design: The research is a cross-sectional design that integrates descriptive and analytical methods. Sample: A convenience sample of 354 healthcare providers who worked in the Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Measurement: An online survey encompassed through using the following tools for data collection 1) the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), 2) the Perceived Stress Scale (10 questions), 3) lifestyle, 4) body mass index (BMI), and 5) the nutrition-related variables. Results: The total prevalence risk of eating disorders was almost one-third (33.1%). By contrast, 66.9% of them were not. The study's healthcare providers who were at the uppermost jeopardy of developing an eating disorder (33.2%) and those who were not at risk (68.8%) had the highest levels of moderate stress. Conclusion: There were statistically significant correlations between the likelihood of eating disorders and the health care providers who had a poor appetite, difficulty falling asleep, getting less than six hours of sleep each day, and eating meals that were not prepared at home. Healthcare providers require specialized programs to prevent eating disorders and promote their lifestyle and mental health.