Eating Disorder Risk and Common Mental Disorders in British Servicewomen: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Servicewomen are at increased risk of common mental disorders compared with servicemen and their female civilian counterparts. The prevalence of eating disorder risk and common mental disorders, and associated risk factors in British servicewomen are poorly understood.

All women younger than 45 yr in the UK Armed Forces were invited to complete a survey about demographics, exercise behaviors, eating behaviors, and common mental disorders.

A total of 3022 women participated; 13% of participants were at high risk of an eating disorder based on Brief Eating Disorder in Athletes Questionnaire and Female Athlete Screening Tool scores. Twenty-five percent of participants had symptoms of anxiety (seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment score ≥10), and 26% had symptoms of depression (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥10). Older age was associated with a lower risk, and heavier body mass was associated with a higher risk, of eating disorders ( P ≤ 0.043). Older age and higher rank were associated with a lower risk of symptoms of anxiety and depression ( P ≤ 0.031), and a heavier body mass was associated with a higher risk of symptoms of depression ( P ≤ 0.012). Longer habitual sleep duration was associated with a lower risk of eating disorders and symptoms of anxiety and depression ( P ≤ 0.028). A higher volume of field exercise was associated with a lower risk, and a higher volume of military physical training and personal physical training was associated with a higher risk, of eating disorders ( P ≤ 0.024). Job role and deployment history were not associated with any outcome.

Sleeping and training habits provide potential novel targets for exploring how common mental disorders can be managed in British servicewomen.