Screening of eating disorders and its related factors among Syrian undergraduates: a cross-sectional study

We conducted this study between December 2020 and February 2021 to estimate the rate of eating disorders and their related factors among a Syrian university student during the war and COVID-19 epidemic. We gathered sociodemographic characteristics and psychological factors through a questionnaire. Of the 728 enrolled students, 45.3% were males and 54.7% were females. 20.3% of sample students potentially had an eating disorder, of those 66.9% were females. 66.9% of those who have potential eating disorders reported worse eating habits during exams, compared to those who had no change habits 27.2% or their habits became better 5.4%. Those who “ate because of feeling lonely” 58.8%, “felt out of control with food” 67.6%, “ate until stomach hurts” 66.9%, “ate because of feeling upset” 53.4%, and “ate because of feeling bored” 79.7%, all of these groups exhibited higher scores on the screening for eating disorders.