Article
Disordered Eating Attitudes and Exercise Behavior among Female Emirati College Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross- Sectional Study
Arab Journal of Nutrition and Exercise
(2017)
Abstract
Background: Growing evidence is showing high levels of physical inactivity and
disordered eating attitudes among young females in the United Arab Emirates. This is
clearly concerning, but little is known about the activity level of those with disordered
eating attitudes and their dieting behavior. This study examines the female Emirati
college students’ disordered eating attitudes and its relation to exercise behavior.
Method: A cross- sectional study using a validated and reliable questionnaire was
conducted on 242 Emirati female students attending a public university in Dubai.
Eating Attitudes Test- 26 (EAT26) was used to measure eating attitudes and the
short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was included to measure
physical activity level. A systematic random sampling from a list of classes in the fall
2014 semester was used for recruitment. The university’s Research Ethics Committee
approved the study and consents were obtained from participants. SPSS v.21 was
used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare frequencies. Significance
level was set at 0.05.
Results: The participants’ mean age and standard deviation (Mean ± SD) was 19 ± 1.3
years. 31.4% of the participants showed disordered eating attitudes. The percentage
of participants engaged in at least one concerning behavior in the past six months was
43.8%. A membership in a health club was significantly related to disordered eating
attitudes (p < 0.01). A high level of physical activity was correlated with laxative use,
over the counter supplements, and exercising for more than 60 minutes to control
weight (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: There is a great need for intervention programs and policies to contain
the level of abnormal eating attitudes and promote healthy level of physical activity
among college students.
Keywords
- Eating disorders,
- Physical activity,
- College Students,
- UAE
Disciplines
Publication Date
2017
Citation Information
Haleama Al Sabbah and Shatha Muhsineh. "Disordered Eating Attitudes and Exercise Behavior among Female Emirati College Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross- Sectional Study" Arab Journal of Nutrition and Exercise (2017) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/haleama-alsabbah/32/