Disordered eating in Sami and non-Sami Norwegian populations: the SAMINOR 2 Clinical Survey

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate disordered eating (DE) among Sami compared with non-Sami residing in northern Norway. Design: In a cross-sectional design, stratified by sex and ethnicity, associations were tested between DE (Eating Disturbance Scale; EDS-5) and age, education level, BMI category, anxiety and depression, physical activity and consumption of snacks. Setting: The SAMINOR 2 Clinical Survey (2012-2014) based on the population of ten municipalities in northern Norway. Subjects: Adults aged 40-69 years; 1811 Sami (844 male, 967 female) compared with 2578 non-Sami (1180 male, 1398 female) individuals. Results: No overall significant ethnic difference in DE was identified, although comfort eating was reported more often by Sami individuals (P = 0.01). Regardless of ethnicity and sex, symptoms of anxiety and depression were associated with DE (P < 0.001). Furthermore, DE was more common at lower age and higher BMI values. Education levels were protectively associated with DE among Sami men (P = 0.01). DE was associated (OR, 95% CI) with low physical activity in men in general and in non-Sami women (Sami men: 2.4, 1.4, 4.0; non-Sami men: 2.2, 1.4, 3.6; non-Sami women: 1.8, 1.2, 2.9) and so was the consumption of snacks (Sami men: 2.6, 1.3, 5.0; non-Sami men: 1.9, 1.1, 3.1; non-Sami women: 2.1, 1.3, 3.4). Conclusions: There were no significant differences regarding overall DE comparing Sami with non-Sami, although Sami more often reported comfort eating. There were significant sex and ethnic differences related to DE and physical activity, snacking and education level.