Eating attitudes and behaviours in South african adolescents and young adults

Body image and Black African women: A comparative study of Kenya and Nigeria

Very few cross-national studies on body image focus on Black African women. In this study, a comparative analytical approach and sociocultural theory framework was utilized in examining measures of body image among 209 Kenyan and Nigerian women aged 18-69 (M = 34.4, SD = 7.81). We examined both weight-related and non-weight-related aspects of appearance, including hair texture, skin tone, and other racialized features. The regional samples were compared on scores of internalized Eurocentric beauty ideals, skin color satisfaction, objectified body consciousness, racialized body image satisfaction, and other demographic metrics. Kenyan and Nigerian women showed differences across multiple body image measures. Nigerian women showed thinner body ideals compared to Kenyan women and also endorsed higher skin color satisfaction, racialized body dissatisfaction, and internalized Eurocentric beauty idealization. Kenyan women showed higher levels of objectified body consciousness. An indirect effect of nationality was observed with internalized Eurocentric beauty ideals mediating differences in racialized body dissatisfaction and objectified body shame. Attention to regional variation in appearance satisfaction may deepen understandings of the particular sociocultural influences impacting body image among populations of Black African women.

Eating disorder prevalence among multiracial US undergraduate and graduate students: Is multiracial risk different than the sum of each identity?

The number of individuals identifying as multiracial in the United States (US) has significantly increased in the past few decades, yet they are rarely the focus of study in eating disorders (ED) research. The current study is among the first to examine prevalence estimates of ED pathology across several distinct multiracial groups, to contrast prevalence estimates of ED pathology in each multiracial group with those among the corresponding monoracial identities, and to investigate these findings intersectionally with gender identity. Data from 145,379 US students, 11,433 of whom were multiracial, were collected from 199 US colleges and universities participating in the Healthy Minds Study between 2014 and 2019. Elevated ED pathology was defined as a score ≥ 2 on the SCOFF. Multiracial individuals identifying as American Indian/Alaskan Native and Hispanic/Latinx exhibited the highest prevalence estimates of elevated ED pathology (41.4% compared to 23.5% in the full sample). This group, as well as some other doubly marginalized groups (African American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx; African American/Black and Asian American/Asian), exhibited higher prevalence of elevated ED pathology than expected based on the observed prevalence estimates in their corresponding monoracial groups. Across gender identities, greater than expected prevalence estimates of elevated ED pathology were observed among multiracial individuals identifying as African American/Black and White and lower than expected prevalence estimates were observed among multiracial individuals identifying as Middle Eastern/Arab/Arab American and White. These results have important implications for understanding ED pathology in multiracial individuals and should inform intervention and treatment efforts to support individuals from these underserved groups.

Self-Induced Vomiting and Other Impulsive Behaviors in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study

To determine the prevalence of self-induced vomiting (SIV) in a sample of patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and to explore whether such behavior is associated with a comorbid eating disorder psychopathology and other clinical symptomatology, such as impulsivity. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at the Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit at Stikland Psychiatric Hospital, South Africa. All consecutive inpatient admissions between April and June 2017 were invited to participate in an hour-long data interview. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) were used to collect data from 104 adults. Results: A total of 29% of patients with AUD reported SIV. The main reason stated for SIV was to prevent hangover (66%). There were no significant differences in BITE and BIS110 scores between participants who reported SIV and those who did not. Conclusions: Almost a third of patients with AUD reported SIV. BITE scores indicated no relationship between eating disorders and alcohol-related SIV in this sample. Our findings also did not support an etiological role for impulsivity in alcohol-related SIV.

Disordered eating behaviors among Christian and Muslim adolescents in Ceuta, a multicultural town

Studies on disordered eating behaviors (DEB) in multicultural populations with multiple religious/cultural affiliations are needed in order to clarify the relationship between cultural background and DEB. Therefore, we compared the presence of DEB among Christian and Muslim adolescents who share their school environment, controlling for the effect of body mass index, demographic variables and lifestyle habits. A sample of 493 girls and boys (339 Christian, 138 Muslim) whose mean (±SD) age was 14.8 (±1.7) years completed self-reporting questionnaires and underwent measurements of anthropometric data. Religious/cultural affiliation was defined by self-identification. The dependent variable, DEB was assessed by means of the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2). Muslim girls and boys score higher than Christians on EDI-2 total scores, especially on the perfectionism subscale. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the characteristics associated with DEB, which were detected in 24% of participants (19% of Christians and in 35% of Muslims). Among girls, DEB were directly associated with overweight or obesity, the presence of frequent quarrels with parents, academic failure and spending more than 3 h a day watching screen images. Among boys, DEB were directly associated with overweight or obesity and Muslim background; and inversely associated with age and socioeconomic status.

Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Body Image Disturbances Among South African Mothers and Their Daughters Living in Soweto, Johannesburg

In South African families, a phenomenon of mothers' acceptance of stoutness coexists with their daughters' appreciation for thinness. A sample of N = 615 mother-and-daughter pairs was recruited to conjointly identify the relationships toward body image and body mass index between both groups by assessing body weight satisfaction, body esteem, and eating disorders risk. We observed higher prevalence of obesity in mothers and higher eating disorders risk in daughters, while mother-daughter relationships were identified for body mass index and psychometric dimensions. The high prevalence of obesity in mothers and their tolerance for stoutness could expose their daughters to eating disorders and obesity.

Disordered eating attitudes: demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates among a sample of Nigerian students

OBJECTIVES

We set out in this study to determine the demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates of disordered eating attitudes among undergraduate students of two higher institutions in Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1,054 participants after written informed consent. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered to the participants. In addition, their blood pressure, height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

RESULTS

The study participants comprised of 561(55.6%) males with median age of 21.4 years. The mean (±SD) score on EAT-26 was 11.52(±8.54), and 16% of all the respondents were categorized as having disordered eating attitude. A significant relationship was found between disordered eating attitude and age (p= 0.027), gender (p= <0.001), institution of study (p= 0.005), systolic blood pressure (p=0.019), BMI (p= 0.027) and psychological distress (p=0.005).

CONCLUSION

Our study observed disordered eating attitude to be prevalent among young adults, and demographic along with clinico-anthropometric factors constituted associated factors. Our findings strengthen the basis to incorporate health awareness programs aimed at improving nutrition and eating behavior among the young adult population. Future research is needed.

Body image and weight control in South Africans 15 years or older: SANHANES-1

BACKGROUND

South African studies have suggested that differences in obesity prevalence between groups may be partly related to differences in body image and body size dissatisfaction. However, there has never been a national study that measured body image and its relationship to weight control in the country. Hence, the main aim of the study was to examine body image in relation to body mass index and weight control in South Africa.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey and a secondary analyses of data were undertaken for 6 411 South Africans (15+ years) participating in the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Body image was investigated in relation to weight status and attempts to lose or gain weight. Data were analysed using STATA version 11.0. Descriptive statistics are presented as counts (numbers), percentages, means, standard error of means, and 95 % confidence intervals. Any differences in values were considered to be significantly different if the confidence intervals did not overlap.

RESULTS

Overall, 84.5 % participants had a largely distorted body image and 45.3 % were highly dissatisfied about their body size. Overweight and obese participants under estimated their body size and desired to be thinner. On the other hand, normal- and under-weight participants over estimated their body size and desired to be fatter. Only 12.1 and 10.1 % of participants attempted to lose or gain weight, respectively, mainly by adjusting dietary intake and physical activity.

DISCUSSION

Body mass index appears to influence body image and weight adjustment in South Africa.

CONCLUSIONS

South Africans at the extreme ends of the body mass index range have a largely distorted body image and are highly dissatisfied by it. This suggests a need for health education and beneficial weight control strategies to halt the obesity epidemic in the country.

Binge eating in adolescents: its relation to behavioural problems and family-meal patterns

The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between binge eating, behavioural problems and family-meal patterns in a sample of adolescents. Two hundred and fifty-nine adolescents from a public secondary school completed the Bulimic Investigatory test, Edinburgh (BITE) [Henderson, M., & Freeman, C. P. (1987). A self-rating scale for bulimia. The "BITE". British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 18-24.] and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) [Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the Youth Self-Report and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont.], as well as 13 additional questions regarding the eating episodes and family-meal patterns. The results show that binge eating is a frequent behaviour in adolescence with 33.2% of the sample reporting binge eating at least once in the last six months. The adolescents who reported binge eating had higher scores on most of the YSR first-order factors compared to those who do not engage in this behaviour. No differences were found in family meal patterns. Questions regarding the binge-eating episodes were also analysed making comparisons by age and gender.

An evaluation of eating disorders among a group of Turkish university students

The prevalence of eating disorders has been increasing in the last 20 years, not only in developed countries, but also in less developed countries such as Turkey. This study was conducted among 610 university students, 338 males and 272 females who are between 17 and 23 years old, in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, to determine eating disorders among the young. The data regarding the eating disorders and self-evaluation were assessed according to the EAT-40 test and the Body Cathexis Scale. The scores received from the eating attitudes test were low among the underweight (18.9+/-9.7) and higher among the overweight (21.6+/-15.9). Eating disorders risks are more prevalent among females compared to males (P<0.001). 17.2% of the underweight and 21.2% of the overweight are at higher risk of eating disorders. There was a positive correlation between the eating attitudes test scores and young people's body weight, BMI, mid-upper arm and waist circumferences, while a negative correlation was determined between the body cathexis scores and these variables. The authors believe that educating young people about healthy nutrition and monitoring them through longitudinal research studies will be helpful to prevent eating disorders, which are significant in terms of public health.