Abstract Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are disorders characterized by irregular eating habits and severe distress or concern about body weight or shape. Thought to be a problem among the young, EDs are very much a challenge among the adult and older adult population as well. The topic of EDs continues to remain underdiscussed for various reasons, such as stigma, lack of awareness, lack of adequate history taking, and attached negative emotions to eating. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of EDs in the community population and treatment-seeking patients at a tertiary general hospital. Methodology: A survey-based cross-sectional study was carried out to find the prevalence of EDs in the community population and treatment-seeking patients visiting a tertiary general hospital. A total sample of 254 individuals above the age of 18 years were screened using the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0). Results: On the EDE-Q scale, more participants in the community sample, 37 (28%), showed scores in the moderate range, and 31 (23.5%) showed scores in the severe range compared to 20 (16.4%) and 13 (10.7%) in the patient sample. Eating concern, shape concern, restraint on eating, and weight concern were also greater in the community sample. Conclusion: The study helps to understand this concerning prevalence of the EDs, which warrants greater awareness and early intervention in order to reduce the community burden of EDs.
Lodha et al. (Mon,) studied this question.