Eating disorder symptoms among adolescent boys and girls in Iran. Issue 1 (3rd December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sahlan, Reza N.; Saunders, Jessica F.; Mond, Jonathan M.; Fitzsimmons‐Craft, Ellen E.
• Other Names: Nakai Yoshikatsu guestEditor.; Kim Youl‐Ri guestEditor.; Thomas Jennifer J. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 54:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2020-12-03
• Subjects: adolescents -- eating disorder symptoms -- EDE‐Q -- gender differences -- Iran; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.23420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Few studies of eating disorder (ED) symptoms among young people in Iran have been conducted. This cross‐sectional study examined ED symptoms, assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q). Method: Adolescent boys ( n = 498) and girls ( n = 607) aged 12–19 years, recruited from schools in four different regions of Iran, completed a survey that included the EDE‐Q. ED symptoms, namely, EDE‐Q global scores and the occurrence of specific ED behaviors, were compared between boys and girls. Results: Girls had higher global scores and were more likely to report regular extreme dietary restriction than boys (16.6 vs. 12.0%). The effect sizes for these differences were small. The regular occurrence of other behaviors (girls vs. boys—binge eating: 21.1 vs. 18.8%; self‐induced vomiting: 3.3 vs. 5.4%; laxative misuse: 6.1 vs. 7.6%; excessive exercise: 5.3 vs. 4.4%) did not significantly differ by gender. Twelve percent of boys and 12.9% of girls met criteria for an operational definition of "probable ED case." Conclusion: ED symptoms appear to be relatively common among Iranian adolescent boys and girls. Programs designed to reduce the occurrence and adverse impact of these symptoms may therefore be increasingly important.