Energy drinks and waterpipe smoking associated with disordered eating habits among male Palestinian refugees.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the relationship between energy drink consumption and disordered eating behaviors, particularly self-induced vomiting, among Palestinian refugee men in the West Bank.
Results Summary
The study found that daily and weekly energy drink intake was significantly associated with self-induced vomiting (OR = 2.71 and 2.41, respectively), indicating a harmful relationship. However, the study did not assess energy drinks' intended benefits, focusing instead on adverse behavioral outcomes.
Population
Palestinian refugee men in the West Bank, with high rates of obesity (67.3%) and disordered eating habits.
Effective Dosage
Daily (30.6% of participants) and weekly energy drink intake (frequency not specified).
Duration
Not specified (cross-sectional study).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
daily energy drink intake | increase | self-induced vomiting | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 2.71 | risk factors associated with | #1 |
weekly energy drink intake | increase | self-induced vomiting | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 2.41 | risk factors associated with | #2 |
weekly alcohol intake | increase | self-induced vomiting | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 10.83 | risk factors associated with | #3 |
obesity | increase | self-induced vomiting | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 2.57 | risk factors associated with | #4 |
weekly waterpipe smoking | decrease | self-induced vomiting | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 0.297 | inversely associated with | #5 |
daily waterpipe smoking | decrease | obesity | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 0.146 | inversely associated with | #6 |
weekly waterpipe smoking | decrease | obesity | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 0.259 | inversely associated with | #7 |
weekly cigarette smoking | decrease | obesity | Palestinian refugee men | OR = 0.251 | inversely associated with | #8 |
This cross-sectional study highlights the concerning relationship between stimulants, alcohol use, and weight-related problems among Palestinian refugee men in the West Bank. Self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data on stimulants and alcohol use and eating attitudes and behaviors (EAT-26). The findings revealed that many refugee men were daily cigarette (61.4%) and waterpipe smokers (15.5%), while 30.6% and 2.3% were daily energy drink and alcohol users, respectively. Moreover, most refugee men (67.3%) were obese, and 23.5% were terrified about being obese. They had disordered eating habits, including the impulse to vomit after meals (63.3%). Moreover, 30.7% scored ≥20 using EAT-26 scale, and 44.4% scored at least one positive behavior, including binge eating (40.4%), purging (10.0%), using laxatives or diet pills (8.3%), excessive exercise (30.9%), and losing weight (24.6%). The results of the adjusted binary logistic regression indicated that risk factors associated with self-induced vomiting were daily (OR = 2.71, p-value = 0.004) and weekly energy drink intake (OR = 2.41, p-value = 0.023), weekly alcohol intake (OR = 10.83, p-value = 0.036), and obesity (OR = 2.57, p-value = 0.002), while inversely associated with weekly waterpipe smoking (OR = 0.297, p-value = 0.007). Obesity was inversely associated with daily (OR = 0.146, p-value < 0.01) and weekly waterpipe smoking (OR = 0.259, p-value = 0.002), and weekly cigarette smoking (OR = 0.251, p-value < 0.01). The study underscores the urgent need for community awareness, professional evaluation, and treatment for obesity and disordered eating habits among Palestinian refugee men. It is essential to address the detrimental effects of alcohol and energy drink intake and tobacco smoking to improve the health outcomes of this vulnerable population.