Research Article
Otayf A*, Mohan R, AL Khairat M, Bakerain A, Sarkhi A and Jammali A
Jazan University, Applied Medical Sciences College, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
*Corresponding author: Otayf A, Jazan University, Applied Medical Sciences College, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Email: oteef2009@hotmail.com
Article Information: Submission: 27/08/2020; Accepted: 15/09/2020; Published: 19/09/2020
Copyright: © 2020 Otayf A, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Objectives: Present study aimed to find the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) among the undergraduate students, Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and find the relationship between EDs and normal weight obesity (NWO) and its factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at Jazan University from November 18, 2019, to May 30, 2020. The subjects were 158 students aged 18 and over, and Body Mass Index (BMI) between18.5 to 24.9 were recruited from two groups according to the degree programs: health and non-health related programs. Eating Attitudes Test 26 (EAT-26) questionnaire was distributed among the students to assess eating
attitudes. Weight, height, and % fat mass were measured, and BMI was calculated.
Results: The prevalence of EDs was significantly high in the non-health program (25%) compared to health program students (14%) P-value<0.05, females (25%) had high prevalence compared to male students (10%) P-value<0.05, married (35%) students had high prevalence compared to single students (13%) P-value<0.05. Female students in the non-health program had a significantly higher bulimia and food preoccupation score in EAT-26 subscale P-value<0.05 compared to the others that showed a higher in the dieting score in EAT-26 subscale. Regarding NWO, female students had a higher EAT-26 score than male students but statistically not significant.
Conclusion: Among undergraduate students, NWO students had a higher prevalence of EDs. The present study found a high prevalence of EDs in nonhealth programs married female undergraduate students at Jazan University. Nutrition education and counseling are essential to establishing and maintaining healthy body fat composition and eating behavior.