Volume 27, Issue 132, February 2023

The prevalence of eating disorders in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Nahla Hariri^1♦, Elaf Altalhi², Mohammad Ujaimi², Sara Aljuhani², May Alshareef², Muruj Azhari², Hamsah AlQashqri¹, Enas Alfalogy^3,1

¹Department of Community Medicine and Healthcare for Pilgrims, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
²College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
³Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez-Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Community Medicine and Health Care for Pilgrims, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: Eating disorders are prevalent health conditions that affect any age, in particular adolescents. While perceived social pressure to be thin has a significant influence on disordered eating in early and middle adolescence, that in late adolescence is less well understood. Evidence suggests that the prevalence of eating problems has grown. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the prevalence of eating disorders using the EAT-26 and body dysmorphic disorder questionnaires among the general population in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Results: Of the 426 participants, the prevalence of high levels of eating disorder concerns was 34.5%, problematic eating behaviour was 44.6% and the need for referral to a mental health professional was 55.9%. Body dysmorphic disorder affected 2.6% of the participants. Its prevalence differed significantly based on their age and among underweight and obese participants compared with their healthy-weighted and overweight groups. Conclusion: The findings underline the need to enhance knowledge of the significance of healthy eating habits and regular physical activity to improve body shape, shape perception and overall happiness.

Keywords: Eating disorders, screening, body dysmorphic disorder, Saudi Arabia

Medical Science, 2023, 27, e111ms2917

PDF

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v27i132/e111ms2917

Published: 22 February 2023