Prevalence of Risks for Eating Disorders among Undergraduate University Students: A Cross-sectional Study from United Arab Emirates

• Main Authors: Heyam Dalky (Author), Adam Khraisat (Author), Mona Albalushi (Author), Sara Ibrahim (Author), Abrar Ahmed (Author), Fatima Ali (Author), Reem Ibrahim (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Jordan University of Science and Technology, 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2957-3785; https://doi.org/10.14525/JJNR.v2i1.09
• Keywords: eating disorders; higher college students; united arab emirates; female adolescents; anorexia nervosa; eat-26; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: Jordan Journal of Nursing Research, Vol 2, Iss 1 (2023)

Background: Eating disorders are psychological disturbances that result in severe and long-lasting abnormal eating patterns and consequences to a variety of physical and psychological components of health. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of risk to eating disorders among Emirati female undergraduate university students aged from 18 to 21 years at a higher college at UAE. Methods: Utilizing a Cross-sectional design, a total of 501 students recruited conveniently to participate in this study. A questionnaire consisted of demographical and eating pattern sections and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) was used and shared with the students online. Results: The prevalence of female students with risks of eating disorders was 13.97%. The most frequent (13.6%) statement chosen by students was “I am terrified of being overweight.” Almost, 50% of the students were not satisfied with their weight, and 48.1% were dissatisfied with their physical appearance. Only 8.18% of the female students have a family history of EDs, and 8.98% were confirmed cases of eating disorders. Yet, the study revealed no statistically significant correlations between age, (r= 0.036, P= 0.416); BMI (r= 0.015, P= 0.734) or meals/day (r= -0.076, P= 0.087) and EAT-26 scores.   Conclusion: The risks of eating disorders in the current study were lower compared to previous studies. Regardless, education programs are required to increase awareness regarding eating disorders. Implications for Nursing: Extended community-based educational programs are suggested to enhance female students’ knowledge about EDs, there consequences on health, and methods to promote healthy eating habits and positive attitudes toward body image.