Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among the general population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and its associations with sociodemographic factors, body mass index (BMI), and mental health conditions among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed among Saudi Arabian adults. The questionnaire included demographic data, BMI classification, mental health history, and the body dysmorphic disorder questionnaire (BDDQ) for screening BDD. Results: The study included 611 participants, with a mean age of 31.61 years. The overall prevalence of BDD was 29.6%. Males had a higher prevalence (33.3%) compared to females (26.0%) (p-value = 0.049). Significant associations were found between BDD and marital status (p-value = 0.028), education level (p-value = 0.016), and employment status (p < 0.001). Participants with obesity had the highest prevalence of BDD (45.1%), followed by overweight individuals (39.2%) (p < 0.001). A history of mental health conditions, particularly anxiety (52.4%) and depression (43.9%), was significantly associated with BDD (p-value = 0.011). Behavioral factors, including concealing appearance-related concerns (p < 0.001) and frequent comparison to media images (p < 0.001), were also strongly linked to BDD. Conclusion: The findings indicate a high prevalence of BDD in the Saudi population, with significant associations with male gender, obesity, unemployment, and mental health conditions. Frequent self-comparison to media and appearance-concealment behaviors were strong predictors of BDD. These results highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns and early interventions to address body image concerns and associated mental health disorders. Further research is warranted to explore causal mechanisms and preventive strategies.