Prevalence and Determinants of Eating Disorders and Mental Health Among University Students in Morocco, 2024

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and frequency of mental health and eating disorders among university students in Morocco. It sought to identify how widespread these issues are, examine the associated risk factors, raise awareness, provide valuable data for future interventions, and contribute to the academic field of mental health and eating disorder research, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups such as Moroccan university students.Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey including 396 students from universities in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, Morocco, in 2024. To gather data, we employed standardized tools, including the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Sick/Control/One stone/Fat/Food (SCOFF) questionnaire. The data analysis was performed using the Epi Info 7.2 software.Results: The results indicate that 64.3% (CI 95% [59.6%; 69.0%]) of the students reported symptoms of psychological distress, 28.8% (CI 95% [24.1%; 33.5%]) experienced anxiety, 26.4% (CI 95% [21.7%; 31.1%]) showed signs of depression, and 32.2% (CI 95% [27.5%; 36.9%]) exhibited symptoms of eating disorders, with a strong correlation between anxiety, depression, socio-economic status, psychological distress, academic pressure, and eating behaviors.Conclusion: The findings of this prevalence study provide valuable insights into the occurrence of mental health and eating disorders among university students in the region of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra. The data highlight the significant impact of these issues on university students, emphasizing the need for increased awareness, early intervention, and support systems within academic settings.