A Scoping Review of the Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Spain

Nutrients. 2024 May 17;16(10):1513. doi: 10.3390/nu16101513.

Abstract

Introduction: Eating disorders (EDs) are mental health illnesses with a multifactorial origin. At present, no review of indexed publications studying their prevalence in Spain is available.

Material and methods: A scoping review (PROSPERO -CRD42019140884-) was carried out through systematic searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO) until January 2022. Papers published in Spanish/English analysing the prevalence of EDs in Spain (population < 65 years) were selected.

Results: A total of 766 articles were identified (186 eliminated as duplicates). A total of 580 articles were analysed on the basis of title and abstract, and 67 articles were selected for full-text analysis. A total of 37 studies analysed the prevalence of EDs in Spain.

Conclusions: This is the first scoping review to analyse the prevalence of EDs in Spain. Puberty and adolescence are the most extensively studied stages. There is a high heterogeneity in the use of ED screening tools and a paucity of information on diagnostic tools.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; binge eating disorder; bulimia; eating and food ingestion disorders; eating disorders.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Young Adult