BMI-for-age z-score and psychological distress associated with disordered eating: A comparative study among Indonesian and Malaysian urban female adolescents

Abstract

Nutrition transition and globalization have affected the diet and body composition of all life stages including adolescents. This study aims to compare body weight status, psychological distress and disordered eating (DE), and to compare the association between BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and psychological distress with DE among Indonesian and Malaysian urban female adolescents. The adolescents’ weight and height were measured and a self-administered questionnaire was completed by each adolescent. A total of 713 girls (Indonesia = 47.8%, Malaysia = 52.2%), aged 12–19 years from Bekasi, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, participated in this study. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was not significantly different between Indonesian and Malaysian girls (18.2% vs 21.2%). Malaysian girls have a significantly higher prevalence of DE (23.9% vs 3.2%), depression (51.9% vs 26.1%), and stress (41.7% vs 29.6%) than Indonesian girls. However, the prevalence of anxiety in Indonesian girls was significantly higher compared to Malaysian girls (77.7% vs 66.4%). For Indonesian girls, BAZ and stress were significantly positive associated with DE, dieting, and bulimia and food preoccupation. For Malaysian girls, BAZ, anxiety and stress were significantly positive associated with DE. BAZ and stress were significantly positive associated with dieting. Depression and anxiety were significantly and positively associated with bulimia and food preoccupation. For both Indonesian and Malaysian girls, stress was significantly positive associated with oral control. Therefore, future intervention programme on promoting healthy eating among female adolescents should consider the psychological well-being component.