Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: October | Volume: 11 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 118-125
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20211015
Prevalence of Eating Disorders among Female Undergraduates at a Nigerian University
Adebimpe Oluwafisayo A1, Idehen EE2, Mosaku SK3, Muoghalu CO4, Opakunle T5
1Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
2Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ile, Osun State.
3Department of Mental Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, Osun State.
4Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ile, Osun State.
5Department of Mental Health, State Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State
Corresponding Author: Adebimpe Oluwafisayo A
ABSTRACT
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.