Eating disorder among malaysian university students and its associated factors
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2020
Abstract
Eating disorder is highly prevalent among university students worldwide. However, in Malaysia, studies on eating disorder is scanty and were mostly conducted among medical students. A stratified cluster sampling was used to recruit participants in a university based in Kuala Lumpur. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1017/1132 students (response rate: 89.8%). The questionnaires administered was a combination of the Eating Attitude Test-26 and items related to perceived body weight, body mass index, trying to weight loss, tobacco use, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. Descriptive analyses were performed to provide background information of at-risk students by gender. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors of eating disorder. The results showed that 13.9% of the university students were at risk of eating disorder. Students who were trying to lose weight and had posttraumatic stress disorder predicted eating disorder. Hence, eating disorder among university students merits attention and requires implementations of public health policies.
Keywords
Eating disorder, Prevalence, University students, Eating attitude, Cross-sectional
Divisions
fac_med,primarycare
Funders
University of Malaya Research Grant (UMRG),RP001D-15HNE
Publication Title
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
Volume
32
Issue
6-7
Publisher
SAGE
Publisher Location
2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320 USA