Publication date: Available online 14 February 2020
Source: Eating Behaviors
Author(s): Su Lynn Cheah, Elizabeth Jackson, Stephen Touyz, Phillipa Hay
Abstract
Objectives
There are limited data on the epidemiology of eating disorders (ED) in migrants. Recent Scandinavian research suggests that migrants are at lower risk of eating disorders, however, to our knowledge there have not been comparable studies exploring eating disorders in Australian adult populations. We sought to explore the prevalence of EDs in first-generation migrants to Australia in comparison with the Australian-born population. A secondary aim was to explore ED prevalence across first-generation migrants from different regions of birth (Europe, Asia, Africa, and Other).
Methods
We conducted sequential cross-sectional population surveys in South Australian individuals aged over 15 years in 2015 and 2016 (n = 6052). Demographic data were collected and migration status was inferred based on a country of birth outside Australia. Questions asked regarding disordered eating were based on the Eating Disorders Examination.
Findings
The 3-month prevalence of any ED was found to be significantly lower in first-generation migrants born outside Australia (4.5%, 95% CI 3.60–5.56) in comparison to the Australian-born population (6.4%, 95% CI 5.70–7.16). People born in countries in Africa (11.00% 95% CI 6.08–19.06) had a significantly higher prevalence of EDs than those born in Asia (4.0% 95% CI 2.68–5.83).
Conclusions
First-generation migrants to Australia may be at lower risk of eating disorders compared to their Australia-born peers, suggesting support for a ‘healthy immigrant effect’.