Eating Disorder Among Adult Malaysian Attending Urban and Rural Primary Health Clinics in Malaysia and Its Associated Factors - A Cross Sectional Study (EDAM)

Abstract

Introduction: Our survey showed that fifty per cent of adult Malaysians have symptoms of eating disorders. The burden of eating disorders showed that individuals with current or former eating disorders are at risk of increased mortality, high years lived with disability (YLD) rates, poorer quality of life, increased costs, and problems with childbearing. Methodology: We determined the factors associated with eating disorders among adults attending 11 health clinics between August to November 2022 using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Results: The response rate was 83% (n=829). Logistic regression was done to analyse the association between sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and anxiety scores, body mass index, with eating disorder score. Higher score in females; rural 0.40 (95% CI: 0.15,40.66; p-value = 0.002) urban 0.25 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.48; p-value = 0.037), obese participants 0.90 (95% CI: 0.38, 1.43; p-value = 0.0010), anxiety and depression increase scores rural 0.32 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.59; p-value = 0.023) and 0.54 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.87; p-value <0.001)urban; depression 0.31 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.52; p-value = 0.004) and anxiety 0.67 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.93; p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Screening of females, the obese and those with mental health issues should be considered.