Eating disorders and Vitamin D status : a cross sectional study conducted among Notre Dame University employees

Abstract

Introduction: Eating Disorders (ED) are currently among the most important mental disorders in adolescents and young adults. Contradictory results are observed when studying the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among people with ED. Moreover, this vitamin plays several important roles in the human body which makes its deficiency an additional concern. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and correlates (mainly vitamin D status) of a positive screen for ED among Notre Dame University (NDU) employees. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 270 NDU employees working at the main, North and Shouf campuses. Face to face interviews were used to collect sociodemographic, health and lifestyle data using 5 questionnaires: the background questionnaire, the short-form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Food Frequency Questionnaire, the Patient Health questionnaire (PHQ) and SCOFF questionnaire that was used as a screening tool for ED. It includes 5 questions targeting key aspects of ED. Moreover, anthropometric and biochemical measurements were assessed. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, waist circumference and body composition. The last variable was evaluated using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) machine In Body 720. Biochemical measurements comprised several parameters including vitamin D status measured as 25(OH)D levels using ELISA and defined by the American Endocrine Society as: deficient (≤20 ng/ml), insufficient (>20-30 ng/ml) and optimal (>30ng/ml). The Statistical Package for social science (SPSS) version 22 for windows was used for data entry and analysis. Results: The prevalence rates of a positive screen for ED and vitamin D deficiency among participants were 23.5% and 38.1% respectively. The results of bivariate analysis showed that young age, female gender, depression status (determined by the total PHQ score), high percentage of body fat and risky waist circumference were found to be significantly associated with a positive SCOFF. However, no significant association was detected between vitamin D intake, daily exposure to sunlight, use of sunscreen, physical activity level, vitamin D status and positive screening for ED. Moreover, logistic regression analysis indicated that young age, high total PHQ score, high C-Reactive Protein and risky waist circumference were associated with a positive screen for ED. Conclusion: A positive screening for ED was not significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency in our sample of NDU employees. Further studies are needed to understand the relation between ED and vitamin D status.