AUTHOR=Engdyhu Betlihem Muche , Gonete Kedir Abdela , Mengistu Berhanu , Worku Netsanet 

TITLE=Disordered eating attitude and associated factors among late adolescent girls in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425986

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1425986

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Background: Disordered eating attitude is characterized by abnormal beliefs, thoughts, and feelings regarding food and weight control. Globally, dieting, intentional weight loss, and weight control affect 41-62% of girls. However, there is limited information related to disordered eating attitude and associated factors among late adolescent girls in Ethiopia, including in the study area.Thus, the study aimed to assess disordered eating attitudes and associated factors among late adolescent girls in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia.For this community based cross-sectional study which was conducted from June 26 to July 26, 2022 in Gondar city, Ethiopia,1188 adolescent girls were required. Multistage stratified sampling followed systematic random sampling technique was applied to recruit the study participants. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire containing eating attitudes test-26 (EAT-26). Anthropometric measurements were also taken. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to identify factors associated with disordered eating attitude. In the final model, variables with p value< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 1158 late adolescent girls (response rate of 97.5%) were participated in the study. The prevalence of disordered eating attitude among late adolescent girls was 9.7% [95% CI: 7.96, 11.4%]. Having a mother who was unable to read and write [AOR: 3.88 (95% CI: 1.07, 14.11)], having a mother who can read and write [AOR: 4.31: (95% CI: 1.14, 16.24)], having a father who only attended primary school [AOR: 3.78 (95% CI: 1.33, 10.78)], having a severe anxiety [AOR: 3.26(95% CI: 1.42, 7.49)], and severe social media usage [AOR: 2.80(95% CI:1.22, 6.46)] were significantly associated with disordered eating attitude among late adolescent girls.This study has revealed disordered eating attitude among late adolescent girls was relatively high. Educational status of parents, anxiety, and severe social media usage were positively associated with disorder eating attitude. Therefore, nutritional education for parents of adolescents who are vulnerable to unhealthy behavior is imperative. The finding also implies the importance of inclusive strategy to mitigate the emerging problem targeting vulnerable groups.