Disordered Eating Behaviours and Body Shape Dissatisfaction among Diabetic Adolescents: a Cross sectional study

Abstract Background Disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) are variations in regular eating patterns and behaviours and might include symptoms and behaviours of eating disorder with lower level of severity. Such behaviours are common during adolescence at which time several physical and psychological changes occur favouring unhealthy dietary behaviours. Although the magnitude of DEBs is high among high – income countries, similar data are limited among diabetic adolescents in low-income countries including Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of DEBs and its relationship with body shape dissatisfaction among diabetic adolescents on follow-up at selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A Cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 395 diabetic adolescents from January to December, 2021. Data were collected using structured pretested standard diabetes eating problem survey (DEPS-R) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as median alongside interquartile range was used to describe the continuous variables. Binary bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was used for data analysis. Mann-Whitney u-test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used to evaluate the difference between median scores of independent variables. Odds ratios alongside 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to measure the strength of association between variables of interest. Level of statistical significance was declared at a p < 0.05. Results The magnitude of engagement in disordered eating behaviours within the last 30 days was 43.3%, [95%CI :( 38%, 48%)]. Body shape dissatisfaction was found to have significant association with DEBs. Late adolescence [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI: (1.15, 3.46)], having diabetic complication [AOR = 2.07, 95%CI: (1.133.79)], skipping meal [(AOR = 3.48, 95% CI :( 1.19, 10.22)] and preferring to be thin [AOR = 14.55, 95% CI: (5.06, 41.90)] were also significantly associated with DEB. Conclusions The magnitude of DEBs among diabetic adolescents is high in the study setting. Body shape dissatisfaction was not significantly associated with DEBs after controlling for confounding variables. Nevertheless, late adolescence, skipping meal, having diabetic complication and preference of being thin were significantly associated with DEBs. Therefore, preventive interventions that address factors influencing DEBs among diabetic adolescent population need to be designed by all relevant actors working on health promotion of young population.