Assessment of eating disorders among adolescent students in tertiary institutions in Lagos, Nigeria
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Eating disorders can influence teenagers' eating patterns, nutritional health, and academic performance. This research evaluated eating disorders and their correlation with the socio-economic and demographic attributes of adolescents in six chosen tertiary institutions within Lagos State, Nigeria. The identification of adolescents experiencing eating disorders was conducted using a modified 26-item Eating Attitude Test from a sample of 866 adolescents chosen through a multistage sampling method. Information on the respondents' socio-economic and demographic traits, along with eating disorder risk referral criteria, was gathered through the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) questionnaire. Data were displayed utilizing frequency counts, percentages, means, and Chi-Square analysis. Findings indicate that 63.7% of participants were female, 43.5% were university students, while 33.3% and 23.2% were enrolled in polytechnics and Colleges of Education, respectively. Fewer than half (45.4%) of the participants received a monthly allowance ranging from ₦5000 to ₦10,000, while 46.8% and 32.0% reported that their fathers and mothers were employed in civil service, respectively; 40.2% and 62.4% stated that they were involved in business, respectively. Additionally, 21.8% of teenagers were identified as at risk for eating disorders, of which 66.5% suffered from anorexia nervosa, the most common eating disorder. Chi-square findings indicate that there was no statistically meaningful link (P>0.05) between eating disorders in the respondents and their socio-economic or demographic traits. The research found that eating disorders could be more influenced by psychological factors rather than socio-economic or demographic ones. Instilling healthy eating practices in children from a young age to avert the development of eating disorders is essential.
Source: KIU Journal of Health Sciences
Authors: Ubosi N. I, John E.P, Bolajoko O.O, Onabanjo O.O, Oguntona E. B, Obeagu E. I
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412388358