In a country where the hundred traditions coexist with the wave of modern life, a quiet phenomenon is developing among the youth of Egypt. Eating disorders (EDS), serious mental health conditions characterized by unhealthy eating habits, such as extreme diets, overeat or food restriction, often driven For an unhealthy obsession with body weight or shape, they are In the ascent.
From 2024, it is estimated that 13.3 percent of young Egyptians, from 15 to 23 years old, are now fighting EDS, a study published in The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neuroconuleria revealed.
Egyptian and broader Arab cultures have traditionally celebrated the most curved body types, linking the issue with fertility and prosperity, accordance For a 1990 study on cultural factors in eating disorders and body -form preferences among Arabs. With broad sociocultural changes, the Arab world, promoted by greater exposure to the Western media, in evolution of the ideals of beauty and a Emphasis About thinness or being ‘thin’, partly among young women, has Emergent.
Cultural change has caused a Increase In bodily dissitfaction, restrictive diet and disorderly eating behaviors, with females at greater risk, exposing the gaps in a mental health system tense and deep cultural stigmas that surround psychotherapy, ash reported In a 2020 study conducted in the Netherlands.
Such disorders take many forms, each with different patterns and serious health risks. For example, anorexia nervosa, an ed, is marked By restriction of extreme foods and a distorted body image, or that leads to dangerous weight loss. On the other hand, bulimia nervosa Impose Dating cycles followed by purge behaviors such as vomiting or exercise exercises, typically hidden to others, and in excess characteristics Episodes or eating in excess without purging, or resulting in obesity.
In children and adolescents, Avitative/Restrictive Food Admission Disorder (ARFID) voice Not of the body image conerns but of aversions to certain foods, which leads to malnutrition. ORTOREXIA, although it is not recognized officer, Reflexes An unhealthy obsession with “clean food”, sometimes causing social isolation and nutritional deficiencies.
While integral national data remain limitedThe Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal found a constant increase in cases, so special Among teenagers with Anorexia nervosa and bulimia Nervous at the head.
Among the young Egyptians including In the study of 2024, 8.4 percent Bilimia nervosa, 1.4 percent binge disorder, 0.8 percent had a subcoldio Anorexia nervosa, Which means that it does not meet all the characteristics of the disorder, and 2.7 percent had a subject Bulimia nervosa.
Despite the prevalence, the EDS remain sincere In stigma through Egypt. Deep cultural opinions on mental health hinder open dialogue and delay efforts to seek help. Many families tend to view Symptoms as physical conditions instead of signs of psychological anguish, or resulting in a Mishag. or negligence.
However, stigma is a global challenge that affects access to mental health care. Accordance For study 2020, EDS are linked to a variety of physical and psychological complications, including malnutrition, anemia, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and, in some cases, suicide attempts. Without treatment, persist thesis conditions for years, marked by high relapse rates and mortality.
Another study, an online transverse survey in 2024 that involves 317 people with EDS, had similar RecommendationsStating that stigmatization is related to welcoming psychopathological symptoms, a longer duration of the disease, a lower self -esteem and a Heised stigma to seek mental health support.
The problem is more exacerbated by the lack of public awareness, and little Education on healthy body image or the risks of disorderly feeding, and specialized attention remains Carce. Only a few clinics in Egypt are actively working to raise awareness and provide access to attention, which are concentrated in the main cities such as Cairo. Such clinics include Nine psychologyClinic of challenges to eat and body and Good Hope Psychiatry Clinic.
While clinics address a need, experts urge For expanded investigation to understand the scope and unique characteristics of EDS in Egypt, guiding public education campaigns to combat stigma and promote early intervention.
However, these efforts would be ineffective without health professionals who receive adequate training to recognize and treat thesis disorders. The integration of mental health care in schools and community health programs through support policies. strength Efforts to combat the problem.
As eating disorders increase in Egypt, addressing the problem will require greater participation of families, educators, policy formulators and health professionals.
