D. Wassenaar et al., The prevalence of eating disorder pathology in a cross-ethnic population of female students in South Africa, EUR EAT D R, 8(3), 2000, pp. 225-236
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of eat
ing disorder pathology in female students representing South Africa's ethni
cally diverse population. A secondary aim was to explore relationships betw
een eating disorder pathology, Body Mass Index (BMT), and socioeconomic sta
tus (SES).
Method: In a questionnaire survey of a cross-section of South African colle
ge students, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) was administered to a conv
enience sample of 628 students (52 per cent white, 38.6 per cent black, and
9.4 per cent Asian, Persons from Indian descent). EDI subscale scores were
calculated and compared by ethnicity. BMI scores were related to EDI subsc
ale scores and to categorizations of respondents' SES status and rural vers
us urban origins.
Results: White women showed the highest EDI body dissatisfaction (p < 0.01)
, while blacks the highest drive for thinness and perfectionism (p < 0.01).
Asians scored highest on interpersonal distrust (p < 0.01). There were mar
ked differences between ethnic groups with regard to BMI, eating pathology
and SES. High BMI was associated with urbanization and low SES. Rising SES
was associated with lower BMI scores. Blacks had higher BMI scores than whi
tes and Asians.
Discussion: The results show significant eating disorder pathology in South
African women across ethnic diversity. Our findings challenge the assumpti
on that eating disorder pathology is confined to Western societies and rais
e the possibility that the risk for eating disorders in developing countrie
s may be increasing. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating D
isorders Association.