Open AccessPrevalence of Eating Disorders among Female Undergraduates at a Nigerian University
Author(s) -
Adebimpe Oluwafisayo A,
Idehen Ee,
SK Mosaku
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of health sciences and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2249-9571
DOI - 10.52403/ijhsr.20211015
Subject(s) - eating disorders , anorexia nervosa , medicine , bulimia nervosa , stratified sampling , obesity , psychiatry , population , eating attitudes test , anorexia , clinical psychology , environmental health , pathology
Eating disorder is not an uncommon disorder in developed countries, although this topic has been relatively understudied in developing countries. This study determined the prevalence of eating disorder and types of eating disorders common among female undergraduates in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Using a descriptive survey design, 1000 female undergraduates aged 18-40years was selected through the stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected on socio-demographic variables such as age and religion, height and weight while, The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) was used to measure eating disorders. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. One hundred and seventy one (171) respondents were classified as highly at risk for eating disorders. The prevalence of eating disorder among the study population was 17.1%. The results revealed that 205 (20.5%) of the respondents were at risk for anorexia nervosa, 170 (17.0%) for bulimia nervosa and 168 (16.8%) for obesity. The study concluded that eating disorder is common among young adults in Nigeria.Key words: Eating disorders, Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, Obesity, prevalence of eating disorders.