Disordered eating attitudes: demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates among a sample of Nigerian students

• Published in: African health sciences 2017-01, Vol.17 (2), p.513-523
• Main Authors: Fadipe, Babatunde, Oyelohunnu, Motunrayo Atinuke, Olagunju, Andrew Toyin, Aina, Olatunji Francis, Akinbode, Abiola Adelphine, Suleiman, Tajudeen Folorunsho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropometric; Attitudes; College students; correlates; Demographics; disordered eating attitudes; Eating Disorders; Eating habits; Nigeria; Research methodology; Statistical analysis; students; Young adults
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1729-0503; 1680-6905
• DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v17i2.27

Objectives: We set out in this study to determine the demographic and clinico-anthropometric correlates of disordered eating attitudes among undergraduate students of two higher institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1,054 participants after written informed consent. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered to the participants. In addition, their blood pressure, height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: The study participants comprised of 561(55.6%) males with median age of 21.4 years. The mean (±SD) score on EAT-26 was 11.52(±8.54), and 16% of all the respondents were categorized as having disordered eating attitude. A significant relationship was found between disordered eating attitude and age (p= 0.027), gender (p=