EATING DISORDERS: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES AMONG INDIAN YOUTH

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (ED) are a group of psychological conditions which are associated with abnormal or disturbed eating habits. Once a rarity, it has now become a frequent anomaly among the youth with very little research on the nature and extent of these disorders, withholding us from understanding the determinants of these disorders.

Aim: This research aimed to find out the (a) knowledge, attitudes, and practices of young adults regarding ED and (b) the rate of occurrence of major EDs like Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study that was conducted by using a pre-validated questionnaire. Participants were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The responses were analyzed according to the diagnostic criteria of AN and BN mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

Results: Out of the total 318 students surveyed from various urban cities in Maharashtra, approximately 14.47% students demonstrated eating discrepancies. Only one female participant scored high enough to be considered as diagnostic of Bulimia while none scored high enough to be diagnostic of Anorexia.  

Conclusion: EDs are not present in major forms like AN and BN but are seen manifesting in milder forms which are nowadays recognized as Eating Distress Syndrome (EDS). It is also found that there is a lack of knowledge and a sense of ignorance towards EDs among adolescents in India.