Screening for Eating Disorder Using Eating Attitudes Test-26 and its Association with Eating Habits in Undergraduate Male University Students

Authors

  • Noman Sadiq Department of Physiology, Makran Medical College, Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2117-2755
  • Jamshed Warsi Department of Physiology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
  • Benazir Mahar Department of Physiology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
  • Tazeen Shah Department of Physiology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
  • Rozina Mangi Department of Physiology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
  • Ashfaq Ahmed Buriro Department of Physiology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
  • Ali Muhammad Memon Department of Physiology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53685/jshmdc.v4i1.131

Keywords:

EAAT 26, Junk food, Eating disorder, Pica

Abstract

Background: Students at colleges and universities are at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. Insufficient data exist regarding the prevalence of eating disorders among male undergraduate university students.

Objective: To determine the frequency of eating disorder and its association with eating habits, junk food and Pica consumption among male undergraduates at the University of Sindh in Jamshoro.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2018 and October 2018 at Sindh University in Jamshoro. Data was collected using Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) after getting informed consent. A total of 403 undergraduate male students filled out EAT-26 questionnaire. Items of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors were compared between the positive (having eating disorder) and negative EAT respondents using chi-square test.  

Results: With a cutoff value of 20 of the EAT-26, 40.9% of students were found to be at risk for an eating disorder (EAT positive). The majority of study participants (79%) reported eating junk food. Seven percent of the participants reported eating Pica (non-food particles) like sand and plastic. Eating disorder was significantly associated with all the subscales of EAT-26. However Eating disorder was not significantly associated with junk food or with pica consumption. 

Conclusion: A high number of male undergraduates are at risk of having eating disorder. Regular screening of male students and awareness about eating disorders is the need of time.

Author Biography

Noman Sadiq, Department of Physiology, Makran Medical College, Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan

 

 

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Published

06/27/2023

How to Cite

1.
Sadiq N, Warsi J, Mahar B, Shah T, Mangi R, Buriro AA, Memon AM. Screening for Eating Disorder Using Eating Attitudes Test-26 and its Association with Eating Habits in Undergraduate Male University Students. J Shalamar Med Dent Coll [Internet]. 2023 Jun. 27 [cited 2023 Dec. 8];4(1):80-7. Available from: https://journal.smdc.edu.pk/index.php/journal/article/view/131

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2023): January-June 2023

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2023 NOMAN SADIQ, Jamshed Warsi, Benazir Mahar, Tazeen Shah, Rozina Mangi, Ashfaq Ahmed Buriro, Ali Muhammad Memon

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