Dataset Information

University students' understanding and opinions of eating disorders: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Eating disorders (EDs) affect 1.25 million people in the UK. Evidence suggests the public display stigma and poor mental health literacy (MHL) towards EDs. There is a high prevalence of EDs in university populations, so it is important to determine the MHL of this at-risk group. Qualitative research exploring the MHL of this population is incomplete.

Objective

Explore university students' beliefs and opinions of EDs, their knowledge of symptoms, treatment and help sources and how these are influenced by biological sex.

Design

A qualitative study, using semistructured interviews analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Setting

The University of Birmingham.

Participants

Seven female and seven male University of Birmingham students.

Results

Analysis revealed six themes, each with subthemes: ED characteristics, causes, body image, seeking help, stigma and awareness. Students displayed poor awareness towards ED signs and symptoms, causes and help sources. Students were not stigmatising towards EDs, but many perceived them as a female problem and believed society to be stigmatising. Many referenced informal sources of information such as social media and expressed a desire for ED teaching. Sex did not have a significant influence on knowledge or opinions of EDs in this study; however, there were some differences, for example, some males were more likely to see EDs as a weakness and to perceive themselves as having low levels of knowledge.

Conclusions

University students show broad awareness of EDs; however, knowledge of certain aspects of ED-MHL including help sources and symptom recognition was lacking. Although students were not stigmatising of EDs themselves, many perceived high levels of public stigma. This, alongside poor knowledge, may delay help-seeking. Campaigns educating students and the public about EDs would aid earlier diagnosis, improving long-term outcomes. Further research into awareness and knowledge in other populations would be beneficial.

SUBMITTER: Manning M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9344994 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

University students' understanding and opinions of eating disorders: a qualitative study.

Manning Millie M Greenfield Sheila S

BMJ open 20220729 7

<h4>Background</h4>Eating disorders (EDs) affect 1.25 million people in the UK. Evidence suggests the public display stigma and poor mental health literacy (MHL) towards EDs. There is a high prevalence of EDs in university populations, so it is important to determine the MHL of this at-risk group. Qualitative research exploring the MHL of this population is incomplete.<h4>Objective</h4>Explore university students' beliefs and opinions of EDs, their knowledge of symptoms, treatment and help sourc ...[more]

PMID: 35906058

Similar Datasets

Project description:mHealth researchers can now collect a wealth of data using “life tracking apps” (LTAs), which are smartphone applications that use mobile sensing to capture and summarise a multitude of data channels (e.g., location, movement, keyword use, sleep, exercise, and so on). The combined wealth of information can create digital signatures of individuals, which hold immense promise for mental health research and interventions by allowing new insights into moment-to-moment changes in behaviour and mental states. However, little is known about what a common research demographic (university students) thinks about these apps and what might factor into their decisions to participate in research using a LTA. This qualitative study ran five focus group sessions (21 students in total) to explore students’ experiences, beliefs, and opinions about LTAs to generate insights into what would make them more or less likely to participate in research involving LTAs. Transcripts were coded and examined for categories using qualitative content analysis. Important categories that emerged were privacy (although this varied based on the individual and data being collected), data security, inconvenience, intrusiveness, financial compensation, and the perceived nature of the research team responsible. On the basis of these categories, we derived seven key insights to increase student participation in research using LTAs: strengthen and communicate privacy and data security, design the app to be as convenient as possible to users, maximise passive data collection, think cautiously before tracking data perceived as “creepy” such as messages, offer suitable financial compensation, be transparent about goals and justification for data being collection to build trust, and attract participants by highlighting how the app can help them achieve their goals. With these insights, mHealth researchers can maximise their participant pool and improve this nascent and promising field.

Project description:IntroductionThe years spent at university are critical in terms of altering people's dietary patterns. This study aimed to: (1) understand the main dietary changes that students experience after starting university; (2) determine the personal and objective factors that hinder healthy eating, and (3) define possible strategies to facilitate healthier diets among university students.MethodsThe nominal group technique (NGT) was used to elicit ideas from 39 students from the University of Parma, Italy. The sample comprised 16 freshmen and 23 non-freshmen. Participants prioritized and weighed their top five ideas regarding dietary changes, barriers to healthy eating, and possible strategies to maintain a healthy diet. A thematic analysis was conducted to compare the priorities across groups.ResultsForty-three themes were elected as the most significant changes related to diet, 39 themes related to personal barriers, 43 themes related to objective barriers, and 55 themes related to strategies. A lack of time for cooking, low financial availability, consumption of unvaried food or junk food, and gaining knowledge about food were identified as the main changes. Personal barriers to eating healthy were intrinsic (i.e., lack of willpower, personal gluttony, and little effort in cooking preparation), poor dietary information, and a busy lifestyle. Market and financial factors (i.e., the high price of healthy products and low financial availability), as well as social factors (i.e., the negative influence of social networks, childhood food education, and origin/tradition), emerged as objective barriers. Possible strategies that could encourage students to adopt a healthy diet include varying the food products offered in university canteens, including organizing spaces where students who prepare meals from home can warm up and eat their food. Student discounts at supermarkets and information on nutrition and a healthy diet were also identified as important ways of supporting students.Conclusion and implication for practiceIn order to make students part of the solution, the NGT provided them with the opportunity to equally contribute their ideas and opinions about having a healthy diet in a university context. This could potentially lead to tailor-made solutions for policymakers, educators, and foodservice providers in promoting healthy eating habits.

Project description:BACKGROUND:During university, students face some potentially serious health risks, and their lifestyle can have a direct effect on health and health behaviors later in life. Concurrently, university students are digital natives having easy access to the internet and new technologies. Digital health interventions offer promising new opportunities for health promotion, disease prevention, and care in this specific population. The description of the current use of and opinions on digital health among university students can inform future digital health strategies and interventions within university settings. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this exploratory study was to report on university students' use and opinions regarding information and communication technologies for health and well-being, taking into account sociodemographic and self-rated general and mental health correlates. METHODS:This field survey was conducted from March to April 2017. An informed consent form and a paper questionnaire were given to students aged 18 to 24 years in 4 university campuses in Bordeaux, France. The survey was formulated in 3 sections: (1) sociodemographic characteristics and self-rated general and mental health, (2) information about the use of digital health, and (3) opinions about digital health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and tests of independence. RESULTS:A total of 59.8% (303/507 females) students completed the questionnaire. Concerning digital health use, 34.9% (174/498) had at least 1 health app mostly for physical activity (49.4%, 86/174) and general health monitoring (41.4%, 72/174,), but only 3.9% (20/507) of students had a wearable device. Almost all (94.8%, 450/476) had searched for Web-based health-related information at least once in the last 12 months. The most sought health-related topics were nutrition (68.1%, 324/476); pain and illnesses (64.5%, 307/476); and stress, anxiety, or depression (51.1%, 243/476). Although Wikipedia (79.7%, 357/448) and general health websites (349/448, 77.9%) were the most consulted sources, students considered institutional or official websites as the most credible sources (309/335, 92.2%). There were significant differences in digital health use by gender, field, and year of study. No statistically significant association was found between digital health use and self-rated general and mental health status. Concerning opinions on digital health, although 94.1% (475/505) of students estimated that today's digital health cannot replace traditional health services and medical consultations, 44.6% (207/464) of students declared that this could be possible in the future, provided that digital health interventions are promoted by institutional or official entities. CONCLUSIONS:University students are largely using the internet for health information seeking, but using less mobile health apps and very few wearable devices. Our data suggest that digital health has the potential for improving health and well-being at the university, especially if digital health interventions take into account students' profiles, interests, and needs.

Project description:BackgroundDepression is being increasingly acknowledged as a global public health concern, and following this trend, attention towards eating disorders (EDs) has surged within China's national consciousness. EDs symptoms frequently coexist with various mental health conditions, including depression. However, research focusing on EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms among Tibetan students in China remains scant. This study employs network analysis to estimate the relational network between EDs and depressive symptoms.MethodsTibetan (n = 2,582) and Han (n = 1,743) students from two universities in the Xizang Autonomous Region, China, completed the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). We estimated the network structure of EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms, identified central and bridge symptoms, and examined whether network characteristics differed by gender and ethnic.ResultsThe core symptoms identified within this study were Calorie_awareness, Desire_to_thin and Fatigue. Conversely, bridge symptoms included Appetite, Suicide, Anhedonia, Guilty, Body_fat_awareness, and Food_preoccupation. The study also revealed no significant gender differences within the network model. However, disparities among ethnic groups were observed within the network structure.ConclusionsOur study examined the correlation between EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms in Tibetan college students. Focusing on the individual's quest for the perfect body shape and some Tibetan students' appetite problems - potentially stemming from transitioning to a new university environment, adapting to the school canteen's diet, or being away from their hometown - could aid in the prevention and management of EDs and depression symptoms. It could reduce the incidence of complications by helping students maintain good physical and mental health. Concurrently, our research provides insights into the relatively higher levels of depression triggered by the unique plateau environment.

Project description:ObjectiveTo explore university students' experience of retention and identify potential barriers and facilitators to long-term adherence.DesignCross-sectional qualitative study using virtual focus groups.SettingUniversity of Leeds.ParticipantsDental and non-dental students from the University of Leeds, who had previously undergone orthodontic treatment and had received removable retainers.MethodsStudents were invited to participate via email. Virtual focus groups were undertaken using Microsoft Teams. A topic guide was used to explore the experience of orthodontic retention including factors that influence long-term retainer wear. Focus groups were recorded and analysed using an inductive thematic approach.ResultsIn total, 23 students participated in four focus groups, including 13 dental students. The period since the end of orthodontic treatment varied from 9 months to 10 years. Of the 23 participants, 8 (35%) were no longer wearing their retainers. Four themes were identified: (1) experience of orthodontic treatment including knowledge of relapse; (2) experience of retainer wear, including motivators and barriers; (3) role of others; and (4) increasing adherence. Key factors influencing use of retainers were the importance placed on maintaining treatment outcomes, awareness of unwanted tooth movement and understanding of the role of the retainer, access to replacement retainers, and ongoing support to encourage retainer wear. Greater knowledge and dental awareness reported by dental students did not necessarily increase adherence.ConclusionAdherence to removable retainer wear is an important aspect of orthodontic treatment but it is recognised that long-term retainer wear is highly variable. The understanding of relapse and retention is variable. Challenges in gaining access to replacement retainers are a common cause of cessation of retainer wear. Dental professionals are perceived to be important in encouraging and supporting retainer wear and individuals reported they would like more follow-up.

Project description:ObjectiveEating disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric disorders associated with substantial morbidity and mortality that are prevalent among university students. Because many students do not receive treatment due to lack of access on university campuses, mobile-health (mHealth) adaptations of evidence-based treatments represent an opportunity to increase treatment accessibility and engagement. The purpose of this study was to test the initial efficacy of Building Healthy Eating and Self-Esteem Together for University Students (BEST-U), which is a 10-week mHealth self-guided cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-gsh) app that is paired with a brief 25-30-min weekly telehealth coaching, for reducing ED psychopathology in university students.MethodA non-concurrent multiple-baseline design (N = 8) was used to test the efficacy of BEST-U for reducing total ED psychopathology (primary outcome), ED-related behaviors and cognitions (secondary outcomes), and ED-related clinical impairment (secondary outcome). Data were examined using visual analysis and Tau-BC effect-size calculations.ResultsBEST-U significantly reduced total ED psychopathology and binge eating, excessive exercise, and restriction (effect sizes ranged from -0.39 to -0.92). Although body dissatisfaction decreased, it was not significant. There were insufficient numbers of participants engaging in purging to evaluate purging outcomes. Clinical impairment significantly reduced from pre-to-post-treatment.DiscussionThe current study provided initial evidence that BEST-U is a potentially efficacious treatment for reducing ED symptoms and ED-related clinical impairment. Although larger-scale randomized controlled trials are needed, BEST-U may represent an innovative, scalable tool that could reach greater numbers of underserved university students than traditional intervention-delivery models.Public significanceUsing a single-case experimental design, we found evidence for the initial efficacy of a mobile guided-self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy program for university students with non-low weight binge-spectrum eating disorders. Participants reported significant reductions in ED symptoms and impairment after completion of the 10-week program. Guided self-help programs show promise for filling an important need for treatment among university students with an ED.

Project description:BackgroundThis study explored eating disorders (ED) prevalences, comorbidity of ED with other mental disorders, and risk factors for ED among university students. ED included binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa (BN), or other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED).MethodsA total of 3425 first-year university students in Sweden completed an online survey covering a range of criteria for psychiatric diagnoses, within the World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) initiative. Pearson's χ2 -tests were used to compare algorithm-based diagnostic prevalences for eating disorders and other comorbid psychiatric disorders between three groups: students with ED with or without other comorbid psychiatric disorders (A), students with psychiatric disorders but no ED comorbidity (B), and students with no psychiatric disorders (C). Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate between-group comparisons of odds ratios for independent risk factors, where group B served as the reference group for comparisons with groups A and C.ResultsOf the total sample, 75% had at least one psychiatric disorder and 28% had at least one lifetime ED diagnosis. Students with ED (group A) reported higher prevalences for comorbid anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal behavior, and non-suicidal self-injury compared to students with psychiatric disorders but no ED (group B). Group A participants exhibited a higher risk of hazardous drinking, were more likely to have received medical treatment, and to identify as bisexual. Compared to group B, students with no psychiatric disorders (group C) were more likely to report better mental and physical health, but less likely to engage in hazardous drinking, and to have sought mental health treatment.ConclusionsA large proportion of students with ED had additional psychiatric disorders, indicating that individuals with ED suffer from multiple mental health problems. It is crucial that student health services acquire competency to offer effective ED assessment and treatment.

Dataset Information

University students' understanding and opinions of eating disorders: a qualitative study.

Background

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Results

Conclusions

Publications

University students' understanding and opinions of eating disorders: a qualitative study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets