Evaluation of Dietary Habits and Assessment of Eating Disorders among Adolescents with Celiac Disease in Morocco

Abstract

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the intolerance of gluten,
barley, rye, and oats, which may induce eating disorders (EDs), pathological behaviors. The study objectives
were to evaluate dietary habits, to screen eating disorders, and to identify the factors associated with eating
disorders among adolescents with CD.
Materials and Method: One hundred and thirty-two adolescents with CD ages 10 to 16 years participated in
the study; 59.8% were females and 40.2% males. Adherence to Mediterranean diet by KIDMED index was
used to evaluate dietary habits and SCOFF questionnaire to screen eating disorders in the study population.
Results: The prevalence of celiac adolescents with very low diet quality and having eating disorders was
20.45%. Besides, Chi2 test showed that the dietary habit quality and eating disorders were significantly
associated (p<0.034) and that they are significantly associated with age and gender. In addition, based on
logistic regression, age, gender, BMI, area of residence, diet quality (KIDMED index) and some dietary
habits were significantly associated with having eating disorders (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Mediterranean diet may have a protective effect against eating disorders among celiac patients.
These findings may be useful for researchers interested by celiac disease in Morocco to better understand the
link between CD, EDs, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet