Disordered Eating Pathology in Ultra-Orthodox and Secular Women in Israel: An Exploration of Age, Religious Affiliation, and Marital Status.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigates the level of Disordered Eating Pathology (DEP) in Ultra-Orthodox and secular women in Israel. It explores the interaction between age, marital status, and religious affiliation, while controlling for Body Mass Index (BMI) and self-esteem. Participants included 1060 Israeli Jewish women ranging in age from 18 to 73. 679 identified as Ultra-Orthodox and 381 identified as Secular. No main effect was found for religious affiliation. However, a significant interaction between age and affiliation was observed. Among secular women, older age groups were associated with lower levels of DEP compared to younger age groups. In contrast, among Ultra-Orthodox women, while young-adults showed lower DEP levels than the youngest group, middle-aged groups showed higher DEP levels than the young-adults. Marital status was predictive of lower DEP scores independent of religious affiliation or other factors. These results may help in understanding the development of DEP in other traditionally oriented subcultures that are undergoing similar periods of cultural transition with increased exposure to and interaction with Western secular values.