Abstract

An Assessment of Eating Disorder among Adolescents and Young Adults

Author(s):Kalsoom Akhtar Chaudhry, Fatime Jamil, Tahira Batool, Pashma Farooq, Aiza Ayub and Rida Sumbal

Young males and females are highly concerned about their body image and physical appearance. They refrain themselves from eating that effect the physical and social well-being. This study aims at identifying the presence of eating disorder and to explore as well as confirm four factor solution of eating disorder among adolescents and adults. The study is conducted obtaining data from a sample of 600 adolescents and young adults studying in private and public educational institutions using EDE-Q questionnaire. Chi-square test has revealed the relationship between age and eating concern scores. Pearson correlation test suggested that age is related with global score whereas all the eating disorder scores are inter-related. No gender-wise difference between shape concern and global score is found whereas the global scores and shape concern scores are significantly different with respect to type of institution. Global score and shape concern scores are same for adolescents and young adults. Mean ranks are higher for males compared to females whereas there is significant difference among restraint scores gender-wise however shape concern, weight concern and restraint scores were significantly different in private and public institutions. Mean ranks for young adults are higher for restraint, shape concern, weight concern and eating concern scores compared to adolescents whereas the significant difference was observed between young adults and adolescents for restraint scores. EFA has identified four-factor solution for the EDE-Q subscales whereas CFA has also confirmed it. The four factor solution is weight and shape concern, fear of gaining weight, restraint and eating concern. 

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