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Muslim teens show greater incidence of eating disorders

By Staff Writer

The rates of eating disorders and reports of body dissatisfaction among Muslim adolescents are nearly double those of their Christian peers, according to a new study that was conducted by researchers at the University of Granada.

The study of almost 500 students who were between the ages of 12 and 20 showed that Muslims are 2.3 times more likely than Christians to suffer from eating disorders, and Muslim youth were 1.8 times more likely to report that they were not pleased with their body.

Of the entire group of participants, 30 percent were Muslim, 15 percent were dissatisfied with their bodies and 25 percent exhibited some form of food-related behavioral problem.

The study's lead researcher said that the results of the investigation were surprising, since having a thin body is not an ideal commonly associated with the Islamic culture. He noted that psychological health professionals should keep this study's findings in mind when treating patients from diverse areas.

Boarding schools for troubled teens may provide supervision and treatment for young adults who suffer from eating disorders. Confronting their issues may lead to improved social behavior and academic performance.

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