title: Subclinical eating disorders in female medical students in Anhui, China: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study explored the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and possible associated factors (depressive symptoms, anxiety and BMI, etc) on EDs in female medical students in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1,135 students in Wuhu, Anhui Province were sampled to participate in this survey. The survey collected sociodemographic data, depressive symptoms, anxiety and eating behaviors of students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The students at risk for eating disorders were 2.17%. Eating disorder risk was more frequent in students with poor parent's relationship, students with poor relationship with parents, students with high body mass index, students who were excessive focus on slimming propaganda, and students whose relatives have a diet. Also, the mean scores for the psychological factors of depression and anxiety were higher in students with eating disorder risk. A multiple linear regression model was produced depicting that depression, anxiety, high level of BMI, focusing on slimming propaganda, and dieting status among relatives were risk factors of having an eating disorder risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant fraction of female medical students in Anhui are at high risk of development of eating disorders. A comprehensive intervention focusing on family environment and emotion management should be designed to prevent occurrence of such disorders among medical students that would undoubtedly hamper the availability of dependable medical services in future.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, 241002 Wuhu, Anhui, China.. 452049263@qq.com.
authors: Wei-Wei
authors: WW
authors: Chang
authors: Anhui Wantou Real Estate Co.,Ltd, 230851 Hefei, Anhui, China.. 6187230@qq.com.
authors: Miao
authors: M
authors: Nie
authors: Fushun Administrative College, 113000 Fushun, Liaoning, China.. 312723247@qq.com.
authors: Yao-Wen
authors: YW
authors: Kang
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, 241002 Wuhu, Anhui, China.. 1983helianping@163.com.
authors: Lian-Ping
authors: LP
authors: He
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, 241002 Wuhu, Anhui, China.. 94017416@qq.com.
authors: Yue-Long
authors: YL
authors: Jin
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, 241002 Wuhu, Anhui, China.. yingshuiyao@163.com.
authors: Ying-Shui
authors: YS
authors: Yao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004032:Diet; D005195:Family Relations; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult