Prevalence and characteristics of eating disorders among college students of a nonmetro city of Gujarat

Abstract

Context: There is a relative paucity of prevalence data about eating disorders (EDs) in India among young population.

Aims: We aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of EDs and abnormal eating behaviors among college students of a nonmetro city of Gujarat.

Setting and design: A cross-sectional survey was done among five colleges of a nonmetro city in Gujarat from February to September 2019.

Subjects and methods: Total 790 college students were assessed using a semi-structured format, Eating Attitudes Test-26, and Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh followed by structured clinical interview as per DSM-5 criteria for EDs.

Statistical analysis: Outcomes were expressed in frequency, proportion, mean, and standard deviation. P values were calculated by Pearson Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test to determine the significance of the result.

Results: The prevalence of abnormal eating behaviors was 25.2% (n = 199). Anorexia nervosa (AN) was not detected. The prevalence of bulimia nervosa (BN) was 0.2% and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) was 0.6%. "Being aware of calorie content" (53.7%) and "preoccupation with desire of thinness" (46.3%) were commonly found. "Impulse to vomit after meals" (2.5%) was least common. Lower body mass index was found among subjects with abnormal eating behavior. None of the subjects had amenorrhea.

Conclusions: The prevalence of disordered eating behaviors, BN, and OSFED was 25.2%, 0.2%, and 0.6%, respectively. AN was not detected. OSFED was the most common ED and the characteristic "body image disturbance" was the most common symptom.

Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburg; Eating Attitudes Test-26; binge-eating disorder; bulimia nervosa; eating disorder.