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Updated: May 24, 2026

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Published on: May 10, 2022
Disordered eating and complexities of cultural origin: a focus on Jews from Muslim countries
1Falk Institute for Behavioral Health Studies, Kfar Shaul, Givat Shaul, Jerusalem, Israel. Falk1@012.net.il
Context:
A dearth of data concerning eating problems among adult women from diverse cultural origins leaves substantial knowledge gaps and constrains evidence-based interventions.
Objective:
To examine prevalence and predictors of disordered eating behaviors (DEB) among adult Jewish women (21+) from distinct cultural origins.
Design:
Community-based study includes 175 Israelis born to parents from Muslim countries (aka Sephardic) and 108 second generation Israelis mostly of European ancestry. DEB assessed with DSM-IV related symptoms. Hierarchical regressions examine influence of weight, self-criticism and psychological distress on DEB severity.
Results:
Despite similar exposure to Israel's westernized norms, substantial group differences emerge. Considerably lower rate of DEB found among respondents of Sephardic origin (11.4%, 19.4%, p<.05); regressions reveal dissimilar patterns of clinical predictors.
Conclusions:
Community cohesiveness and deeply-rooted cultural and religious traditions may be protective for Israelis of Sephardic origin. Additional research is needed to clarify cultural influences and enhance culturally sensitive interventions for multicultural populations.
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