Disordered Eating Behaviour among School-going Adolescents: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Abstract

Eating disorder commonly occurs among adolescents due to weight concern and body dissatisfaction. It is important to screen for eating disorders among school-going adolescents as it can lead to early treatment, thereby reducing serious complication affecting their education. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of disordered eating behaviour and its associated factors among school-going adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 732 school-adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years from 12 secondary schools in Terengganu. Cluster sampling was applied and a self-administered validated questionnaire was used. Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) was used to assess disordered eating behaviour. Psychological factors were measured using validated Malay version of Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ).  Prevalence of disordered eating behaviour was 30.1%. Disordered eating among adolescents was independently associated with emotional problem (p=0.014, OR 1.16, 95%CI 1.03, 1.31), peer pressure (p=0.001, OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.10, 1.44) and increasing age (p=0.006, OR 1.21, 95%CI 1.06, 1.39). Binary logistic regression showed body mass index (BMI) or any forms of substance use were not significantly associated with disordered eating among adolescents. This study showed that screening for disordered eating is important as it is associated with emotional and peer problems among school-going adolescents. Vice-versa, adolescents with emotional and peer problems have a tendency to develop disordered eating which is important to be screened to evade its effects towards their education and reduce the potential harmful complications associated with it.