Eating Disorders Attitudes and Behaviors among Hadhramout University Students in Mukalla, Yemen

Abstract

Introduction: Eating disorders have serious implication on all aspects of physical, psychological, and social health if left untreated. Adolescents and college students are more affected group with this disorder. The study aimed to identify eating disorders attitudes and behaviors among university students and compare with certain variables among students at Hadhramout University in Mukalla, Yemen. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during the period November 2022 until June 2023. The total number of participants was 369 students in the following faculties: Medicine and Health Sciences, Nursing, Faculty of Engineering, Law, Women, and Administrative Sciences. Data were gathered by a self-administered questionnaire prepared for this purpose. Results: More than half of the participants were male (56.9%). A total of 314 (85.1%) students scored ≥20 points on the EAT-26 which was considered to be at low risk of disordered eating attitudes while 55 (14.9%) scored< 20, indicating a high risk of developing eating disorders. In addition, most of the students have normal weight (53.1%), underweight (22.5%) and obese represented 8.1%. Although the number of students from the scientific colleges was more than the students from the literature, the percentage of eating disorders attitudes was more prevalent among the literature faculties. Conclusion: There is a growing number of university students with eating disorders. The university classes represent an ideal setting for growing eating disorders due to the influences of peers. Eating disorders attitudes progress to behavioral symptoms. The researchers recommend further studies with a large sample across multiple colleges and universities in Yemen. Comprehensive education programs among students are also necessary.