Eating disorders among medical students at a private university in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Eating disorders are serious conditions that affect how people think and behave around food, and their body image. This study investigated how common eating disorders are among medical students in Uganda, and the factors linked to their occurance. The findings revealed that 16.6% of medical students showed signs of possible eating disorders based on the SCOFF screening tool. Those at high risk included female sex, individuals with multiple sexual partners, and those experiencing suicidal thoughts. These results highlight the importance of raising awareness about eating disorders in academic settings, particularly in medical institutions, and underscore the need for early identification and targeted interventions. Further research is necessary to explore sociocultural influences on eating disorders in Uganda and other low-resource settings to inform culturally appropriate prevention and treatment strategies.