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Anorexia nervosa in an Arab culture
M T Abou-Saleh1, Y Younis, L Karim
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|March 21, 1998
Summary
Anorexia nervosa appears rare in Arab cultures, but 5 cases (3 female, 2 male) were observed in the UAE and Oman. Sociocultural shifts and Westernization may influence its occurrence in the region.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Cultural Anthropology
- Public Health
Background:
- Existing literature suggests anorexia nervosa is uncommon in Arab cultural contexts.
- Understanding the prevalence and presentation of eating disorders in diverse populations is crucial for effective public health strategies.
Observation:
- This report details five cases of anorexia nervosa diagnosed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
- The patient cohort included three females and two males from varying Arab nationalities (UAE, Omani, Sudanese).
Findings:
- The observed cases challenge the notion of anorexia nervosa being exceedingly rare in Arab societies.
- The emergence of these cases correlates with significant sociocultural transformations and increasing Westernization within the UAE.
Implications:
- These findings suggest a potential rise in anorexia nervosa within Arab cultures, possibly linked to modernization.
- Further research is warranted to explore the impact of Westernization on eating disorder prevalence and presentation in the Middle East.
- Clinicians should be aware of potential cases of anorexia nervosa in Arab patients, considering evolving cultural dynamics.