An Umbrella Review and a Meta-analysis of Meta-analyses of Disordered Eating Among Medical Students

To prevent eating disorders in future physicians, this umbrella review and meta-analysis of previous meta-analyses estimates the prevalence of disordered eating (DE) among medical students worldwide and identifies key risk factors.

Four databases were searched electronically between their inception and February 1, 2023. The search was later updated to December 31, 2023.

The search yielded prevalence rates for medical students who scored above established cutoffs on validated assessment measures for DE. These were computed to provide an overall pooled estimate. The data was taken from 2 previous reviews. Both these systematic reviews found a 15.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.7%-15.6%) prevalence rate of DE among medical students. The equivalent Hedges' G = 0.30 (95% CI: 0.29-0.31), the equivalent odds ratio = 1.74 (95% CI: 1.71-1.77), I² = 97.6%, and the excess of statistical significance is P = .001. The trim and fill adjusted effect size was 16.0% (95% CI: 14.0%-20.0%).

Because eating disorders put students' safety and well-being at risk and because the health of early-stage physicians is vital to the welfare of a country, early signs of disordered eating must become a priority of medical schools and a signal for effective prevention and intervention. The recommendation is to ensure supportive environments, provide easy access to effective care, and hold clear expectations for student eating behavior.