Prevalence Of Eating Disorders Among Pregnant Women In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i1.154Keywords:
Eating disorders, Pregnancy, Saudi Arabia, Prevalence, Cross-sectional study, Maternal health, EDE-QAbstract
Background: Eating disorders (EDs) during pregnancy represent a significant public health concern due to their adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite growing global research, data on ED prevalence among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of EDs and associated sociodemographic and clinical factors in this population.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 732 pregnant women in Saudi Arabia, aged 18– 45 years. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) assessed ED symptoms, while additional questionnaires collected sociodemographic and pregnancy-related data. Descriptive statistics, prevalence calculations, and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors.
Results: 732 pregnant women were included. Findings show 18.4% prevalence of clinically significant eating disorder symptoms (EDE-Q ≥2.5), with weight (31.7%) and body shape concerns (28.3%) being most prevalent. Significant risk factors included lower education (OR=1.45, p<0.001), income <5,000 SAR (OR=1.62, p<0.001), prior ED history (OR=3.25, p<0.001), underweight pre-pregnancy BMI (OR=1.81, p<0.001), and gestational diabetes (OR=1.67, p<0.001). Older age (>35 years) showed protective effects (OR=0.75, p=0.002).
Conclusion: Nearly 1 in 5 pregnant women in Saudi Arabia exhibit clinically significant ED symptoms, with higher prevalence than global averages. Sociocultural pressures, socioeconomic status, and pregnancy complications significantly influence risk. There is an urgent need for routine ED screening in prenatal care and culturally adapted interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes.
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