Authors

1 Msc, Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery School, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Graduate, MSc in Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University Of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Research PhD student . Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction:
Eating Disorder Symptoms and social anxiety can be occurring in the same time. Also social anxiety is one of the important factors predicting Eating Disorder symptoms which vary among different cultures and countries. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Eating Disorder symptoms and social anxiety in school boys. 
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 361 high school boys in isfahan who were selected through two-step random sampling. The students completed a questionnaire concerning demographic characteristics, Eating Disorder Questionnaire and social anxiety. Data were analyzed by the statistical tests of Pearson correlation coefficient, Student’s t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression through SPSS version 14.
Results: Based on the findings, the mean (SD) value for age was 14.14 (1.2) years and for BMI was 23.25 (0.3).35.2% had eating disorder and 17.5% bulimia and30% had anorexia nervosa Symptoms. Also there was a positive correlation between the rate of Eating Disorder Symptoms, bulimia and anorexia nervosa and social anxiety. (P=0.004, r= 0.287, P=0.001, r= 0.257, P=0.020, r= 0.242). 
Conclusions: There was correlation between the Eating Disorder Symptoms and social anxiety  in  school boys.So educating people like caregivers by community health midwives regarding nutritional problems in during adolescence can be effective in early diagnosing and identifying such disorders.

Keywords

 

Introduction:

 

To be extremely obsessed with weight, physical shape, and food are known as the feature of “eating disorder”. This kind of disorder as well as its probable problems is recognized as the third common cause of illness, after fatness and asthma, in the word (1). In spite of fact that such a disorder has been extensively studied about in the western society, this issue seems to be very common in non-western society, too (2). This disorder has been highly noticed, since 30 years ago, and many efforts, also, have been done to cure it (3). “Eating disorder” is a kind of psychological disorder and Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are the most common specific forms of it. Considering the western countries, 6% of people are involved with anorexia, and 1% with polyphagia, which these numbers are more in the cities than the villages (4).

Based on the Bas’s studies (2007), it has been found that, once answering to the “Eat-26” questioner, 38.7% of the girls and 26.4% of the boys had an abnormal outlook toward eating (5). Statically, countries are different considering the issue of “eating disorder”: Saudi Arabia 19.6%, Japan 5.4%, America 22%, Canada 16%, England 4.92%, and Spain 12.3%. In Iran however, limited studies have been done. The result of one study in Tabriz showed that 16.7% of female students are at the high risk of developing this disorder (6). Though early symptoms of this disorder would occur, simply, as showing reluctance toward food and eating, severe clinical consequences like bulimia and anorexia nervosa are probable to happen. Therefore, recognizing the people being prone to developing this disorder as well as the precise cause of the problem should be highly noticed (7). As a matter of fact, eating disorder is a type of psychological, social, and biological illness which would be caused due to different cultural, social, and psychological factors. Psychologically, depression and different anxiety disorders, mainly social-anxiety disorder, would pave the way for the occurrence of this disorder (8-12). Many theories, considering the cause of this very disorder, have put a great emphasis on the psychological disorders. Many epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that majority of the people, with eating disorder, are suffering from, at least, one sort of anxiety disorder (7). Anxiety is known as the key and precise cause of “eating disorder” (13). Walter (2004), in his study showed that 50% of people, having eating disorder problem, were challenging with, at least, one sort of anxiety-disorder, amongst whom 20% with social anxiety (14). To be concern about being negatively judged by the people is the first feature of “anxiety stress”. Once being in different situations and feeling to be judged negatively, these people refuse to take part to any social circumstances and to have any social interaction with people. An estimated 1-10% of people with eating disorder have been reported as children and teens; comparing the boys and girls, this range changes to 1.5 to 1.

Such a disorder may  start from adolescence and develop by being inactive at school, quitting the school, not having suitable social skills, and, consequently, having no or few friends (15).

Comparing to the other types of psychological disorder, anxiety disorder may start sooner. Based on an international study, the average age of this disorder has been reported as 13 years old (13.3-15.5). This age, however, in Canada, while a study had been done, decreased to 12.7. Amongst both girls and boys, such a disorder starts once being dissatisfied about one’s body and having abnormal outlook toward food and eating.

Angel’s study (2002) showed that the girls being more concern about getting old or, even, tall showed more dissatisfaction about their body and, hence, were more involved with eating disorder (17).

Adolescence has been considered as one of the most important period of human’s life because during this period many changes in the appearance, social behaviors, and psychological state of people would occur (19). There are more teens nowadays in the world than the past, 21.8% of the population of Iran, on 2006, had been reported as being the teens. Therefore, Because of the importance of this period and, also, due to having no report of such study in Isfahan, this study is conducted to determine The relationship between Eating Disorder symptoms and social anxiety disorder in school boys in Isfahan in 2013-2014. 

 

Materials and Methods

This is a correlational study conducted on 361 governmental school boys in the school year 2013. The researcher got research approval from ethical considerations committee of the university and obtained a letter of introduction from Isfahan University of medical science. She delivered the letter to the authorities of schools, and after explaining about the research aims and obtaining students’ written informed consent with respect to ethical codes and making the necessary co-ordination concerning the time of questionnaire distribution, she conducted sampling and performed the study. After a pilot study on 40 students, the sample size was calculated as 348 based on correlation index formula: n = (z1 + z2)2(1 – r2) r2 + 2. The total number of subjects was estimated to be 361 with respect to 5% increase as a result of random sampling (Z1 = 1.96 with regard to confidence coefficient of 95%, Z2 = 84% with regard to test power of 80%, and r based on the correlation coefficient between  eating disorder and social anxiety symptom estimated as 0.15 in the pilot study). The method of sampling was such that a high school or vocational school was randomly selected from each of the five educational districts of Isfahan province using a random number table. Then, with regard to the population of each district, a certain number of students in various courses and grades were selected from the related high school. Finally, the expected number of subjects was selected through convenience sampling. Data collection tool included a questionnaire of demographic characteristics, social anxiety symptom, and’ eating disorder questionnaire. Social anxiety symptom questionnaire is scored a five-point Likert scale (not at all = 0, extreme= 4) and contains 17 questions. Total score is 0-68 and A score of ≤19 is given for social anxiety signs. Questionnaire of social anxiety and is valid and reliable tools that have been used in the studies of mohamadirizi (2011)(20). Eating disorder questionnaire contains 31 questions measuring anorexia (22 questions) and bulimia (9 questions).The questions are scored by a two-point Likert scale: (right = 1 and false = zero). Questionnaire of eating disorder is valid and reliable tools which have been adopted in various studies such as Valizadeh (2009) and confirmed with Cronbach’s α values of 80% (21).

 Inclusion criteria were giving an informed consent to attend the study, Iranian nationality, residing in isfahan, being student of grades 1-4 of high school or vocational school, body mass index (BMI)

Results:

Demographic/family characteristics of students showed in table 1.

 

Table 1: Distribution of subjects’ age, BMI, Economic statues, Mother occupation and education, Father education 

%

n

 

Demographic/family characteristics

41.8

151

14-16

Age (year)

58.2

210

17-19

25.8

93

< 18.5

BMI(kg/m2)

61.1

222

18.5-24.99

12.7

46

25<

82.0

296

moderate

Economic statues

8.0

29

Poor

10.0

36

Good

87.5

316

household

Mother occupation

12.5

45

employment

69.0

260

without university education

Mother education

31.0

101

university education

67.0

242

without university education

Father education

33.0

119

university education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The findings showed that mean±SD score of eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia and social anxiety were   12.12±3.6 2.6 9.1±, 3±1.1  respectively.

In addition, 127(35.2%) of subjects had eating disorders, 63(17.5%) anorexia and 110(30.5%) had bulimia.

Based on Pearson’s correlation test, a significant direct correlation was found between eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia and social anxiety (table2 and figure 1-3)

Table 2: correlation between total score of eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia and social anxiety

 

Eating disorder

Bulimia

Anorexia

Social anxiety

Correlation coefficient

.287**

.257**

.242**

Pvalue

.004

.001

.020

N

361

361

361

 

Discussion:

Based on the findings, it is concluded that 35% of the boy students showed the symptoms of eating disorder. It can be said that eating disorder is so much connected with the cultural and social factors since thinness and being on a diet are the concern of all social classes, races, and even the families. This point is very evident in Iran, too. Being a young country, Iran is prone to developing this disorder because, totally, during this period, adolescence show more tendency toward accepting the foreign cultural (22).

Concerning the aim of this research, to study about the relationship between the eating disorder and social anxiety, it is concluded that these two variables are significantly related. Levinson, also in his study (2011), proved that these two factors are correlated (6). The Celikel’s study (2008) showed that 12% of students were, at the same time, challenging with social anxiety and eating disorder. He found that these two factors are positively correlated (23). However, in Bas’s study (2007), no specific relationship was found between the positive attitude toward eating and social anxiety (5).

What being found in Wonderlich’s study (2010) was that, generally, social anxiety disorder had no specific relationship with eating disorder; however, it, as the only element of anxiety disorders, had connection with eating disorder (16). Because of the fact that eating disorder is recognized once Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa happen, such people would be very concern about these decreases and increases. As these concerns increases, the psychological problems would increase as well. This is what this research brought about (24).

Other possible factors effecting on the eating disorders are as the family attitude toward eating habits and illnesses as well as their background in having any sort of eating disorder which, due to the great number of questions, time limitation, and tiredness of the students, were not taken into consideration in this research. It is, therefore, recommended to other researchers make a new research about eating disorder, while considering these possible factors.

 

Conclusion

With regard to high prevalence of eating disordersas well as high incidence of  anxiety disorders signs among the students, investigation, prevention, and treatment of these disorders by the authorities in education and training and the Ministry of Health are essential, and educational programs and counseling services should be conducted to tackle these problems.

Acknowledgments

This study is part of a student’s thesis, approved and sponsored by the Research Deputy in isfahan University of Medical Science, Iran in 2013. We greatly appreciate the support and collaboration of the university Research Deputy and education authorities and boys students.

 
1- Golden NH. Eating disorders in adolescence and their sequelae. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2003;17(1):57-73.
2- Fang A, Hofmann SG. Relationship between social anxiety disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. Clinical psychology review. 2010;30(8):1040-8.
3- Bilali A, Galanis P, Velonakis E, Katostaras T. Factors Associated with Abnormal Eating Attitudes among Greek Adolescents. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2010;42(5):292-8.
4- Grave RD. Eating disorders: Progress and challenges. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2011;22(2):153-60.
5- Bas M, Kiziltan G. Relations among weight control behaviors and eating attitudes, social physique anxiety, and fruit and vegetable consumption in Turkish adolescents. ADOLESCENCE-SAN DIEGO-. 2007;42(165):167.
6- Levinson CA, Rodebaugh TL. Social anxiety and eating disorder comorbidity: The role of negative social evaluation fears. Eating behaviors. 2011.
7- POURGHASSEM GB, HAMED BEHZAD MAHDIYEH SSN, KOOSHAVAR D. RELATION OF BODY MASS INDEX TO EATING ATTITUDE IN TABRIZIAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF TABRIZ UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES. 2010.
8- Kelly MM, Walters C, Phillips KA. Social anxiety and its relationship to functional impairment in body dysmorphic disorder. Behavior Therapy. 2010;41(2):143-53.
9- Ong SH, Wickramaratne P, Tang M, Weissman MM. Early childhood sleep and eating problems as predictors of adolescent and adult mood and anxiety disorders. Journal of affective disorders. 2006;96(1-2):1-8.
10- Peñas-Lledó E, Jiménez-Murcia S, Granero R, Penelo E, Agüera Z, Alvarez-Moya E, et al. Specific eating disorder clusters based on social anxiety and novelty seeking. Journal of anxiety disorders. 2010.
11- Soh NL, Touyz SW, Surgenor LJ. Eating and body image disturbances across cultures: A review. European Eating Disorders Review. 2006;14(1):54-65.
12- Väänänen JM, Fröjd S, Ranta K, Marttunen M, Helminen M, Kaltiala-Heino R. Relationship between social phobia and depression differs between boys and girls in mid-adolescence. Journal of affective disorders. 2011;133(1):97-104.
13- Fitzsimmons EE, Bardone-Cone AM. Coping and social support as potential moderators of the relation between anxiety and eating disorder symptomatology. Eating behaviors. 2011;12(1):21-8.
14- Kaye WH, Bulik CM, Thornton L, Barbarich N, Masters K. Comorbidity of anxiety disorders with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2004;161(12):2215-21.
15- Hinrichsen H, Wright F, Waller G, Meyer C. Social anxiety and coping strategies in the eating disorders. Eating behaviors. 2003;4(2):117-26.
16- Wonderlich-Tierney AL, Vander Wal JS. The effects of social support and coping on the relationship between social anxiety and eating disorders. Eating behaviors. 2010;11(2):85-91.
17- Thompson AM, Chad KE. The relationship of social physique anxiety to risk for developing an eating disorder in young females. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2002;31(2):183-9.
18- Khorvash F, Mansorian M, Boroumandfar Z, Mohamadirizi S. An investigation on the association between students’ knowledge and their tendency to take care of HIV patients among the students in nursing and midwifery school. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research 2014;19:404-8.
19-  Mohamadirizi S, Kordi M. Association between menstruation signs and anxiety, depression, and stress in school girls in Mashhad in 2011-2012. Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res 2013;18:402-7.
20-  Valizade A, Ariapooran S. Prevalence of eating disorders and their role in psychological signs among women with sport activities. Journal of guilan university of medical sciences. 2011;79:15-23 [ in persian].
21- kordi m, mohamadirizi s. Relationship between social anxiety symptoms and eating disorder symptoms in referred nulliparous women. Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility 2014;17(109):9-15.
22- Razaii F. Synopsis of psychiatry(behavioural science/clinical psychiatry). Tehran; arjmand. 2010.
23- Celikel FC, Cumurcu BE, Koc M, Etikan I, Yucel B. Psychologic correlates of eating attitudes in Turkish female college students. Comprehensive psychiatry. 2008;49(2):188-94.
Rompella N. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Ultimate Teen Guide: Scarecrow Pr; 2009.
24- Melyani M, Shairi MR, Ghaedi G, Bakhtirari M, Tavali A. The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy Based on Heimbergs Model on the Decrease of Social Anxiety Symptoms. Iranian journal of psychaitry and clinical psychology 2009;15(1):42-9. [ In Persian].