Assessment of the Eating Disorders in Female Students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran, ۲۰۱۱

Introduction: Up to now, the number of epidemiological studies about eating disorders (ED) in Iran is still limited. This study determined the prevalence of eating disorders in female students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. Materials & Methods: A randomly selected group of ۴۰۰ female students studied at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences had been assessed. After measuring height and weight, participants were invited to complete the Eating Attitude Questionnaire (EAT-۲۶). Results: Questionnaire was completed by ۳۶۶ students (۹۱.۵%). An average prevalence of anorexia (۱۳.۱۱%) was found for female students. Current dieting for losing weight was reported by ۲۰% of participants. ۱۱.۵% of participants were thin and ۸۸% of them were not satisfied with their own weight. Frequency of eating disorders was significantly higher among overweight/obese students (p<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Eating disorders were present in over ۱۳ percent of female university students. Preventive programs in order to decrease the progression of these disorders should be addressed.