Gender Differences in Susceptibility to Eating Disorders among Youth

Abstract

This research delves into the exploration of gender disparities in the predisposition of youth towards eating disorders. It aims to investigate potential variations in attitudes and behaviours related to disordered eating between males and females. Utilizing purposive sampling, 120 young adults aged 20-25 years (60 males and 60 females) participated in the study. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was employed to assess attitudes and behaviours related to eating disorders, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. The results of the t-tests conducted on the data unveiled no significant differences in eating attitudes related to dieting, bulimia, food preoccupation, and oral control between males and females within the sample. Consequently, the null hypothesis was accepted for all dimensions, suggesting that gender does not significantly influence attitudes towards eating behaviours among youth in this population. This research challenges the notion that gender plays a prominent role in predicting vulnerability to eating disorders among youth. The findings imply that other factors beyond gender might contribute significantly to the development or manifestation of eating disorders in young individuals. Further exploration into these variables is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding eating disorders in the youth demographic.