Estimated prevalence of eating disorders in Singapore

• Published in: The International journal of eating disorders Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 7 - 18
• Main Authors: Chua, Sook Ning, Fitzsimmons‐Craft, Ellen E., Austin, S. Bryn, Wilfley, Denise E., Taylor, C. Barr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.01.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Eating disorders; feeding and eating disorders; Feeding and Eating Disorders - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; psychopathology; screening; Singapore; Singapore - epidemiology; Young Adult; Singapore; prevalence; screening; Singapore; feeding and eating disorders; psychopathology; adult; female; male
• ISSN: 0276-3478; 1098-108X; 1098-108X
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.23440

Objective There is a lack of research on the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) in Singapore. The aims of our study were to (a) estimate the prevalence of EDs, risk status, and help‐seeking behaviors among adults in Singapore, (b) examine gender differences between ED status groups, and (c) characterize clinical profiles of ED status groups. Method We administered a cross‐sectional survey that included a validated EDs screening tool to adults in Singapore. Results A total of 797 Singaporean adults ages 21–77 years completed the ED screen. The majority of participants screened positive for a current DSM‐5 clinical ED (6.2%), other specified feeding or ED (37.0%) or at high risk of developing an ED (19.5%). Only 1.6% of those who screened positive for an ED reported currently being in treatment. The ratio of males to females who screened positive for an ED was nearly 1:1. The clinical profiles of ED groups were consistent with the clinical presentations found in Western nations. Discussion This is the first study in Singapore to estimate the prevalence of EDs in a large sample of adults. Results highlight the urgent need for more ED research and expansion of prevention and treatment programs to address the high prevalence of ED psychopathology in Singapore.