A SINGLE BLINDED CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY ON EATING DISORDERS AMONG THE DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS IN INDIA

Veena Kirthika.S; Padmanabhan.K; Selvaraj Sudhakar; Nabeena.N

Volume : VII, Issue : XI, November - 2018

A SINGLE BLINDED CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY ON EATING DISORDERS AMONG THE DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS IN INDIA

Veena Kirthika. S, Padmanabhan. K, Selvaraj Sudhakar, Nabeena. N

Abstract :

Background: Eating disorders are considered to be a mental disorder involving abnormal eating habits affecting the normal life of individuals due to frequent comments on their weight and shape. Very few studies have attempted to establish the eating disorders among different age groups in India.

Aim: To compare the eating disorders among different age groups, namely school going children, college going students and adults.

Materials and methods: The cross–sectional survey consists of 150 healthy subjects including both male and female between 12–40 years of age. They were selected through the stratified random sampling method and allocated into 3 groups. Group A consisted of the school children (12–17 years), Group B consisted of the college students (18–25 years) and Group C consisted of adults (26–40 years). The groups were given with two questionnaires namely Eating Attitude Test –26 (EAT–26) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ).

Results: The mean scores of EAT–26 and EDE–Q among group B is higher when compared to A and Group C. There is statistically significant difference, p<0.05 exists among them.

Conclusion: The eating disorder is common among the college going students when compared to school going children and adults.