Disordered eating behaviours and attitudes among adolescents in a middle-income country.

PURPOSE: Adolescent-disordered eating behaviours and attitudes (DEBA) are noted to be increasing in prevalence internationally. The aim of this study was to explore the DEBAs among Jamaican adolescents and identify those adolescents most at risk. METHODS: 521 high school participants (females, n = 292), ages 11-19 years, completed measures assessing socio-demographic factors, self-esteem, symptoms of anxiety and depression, behavioural factors, and anthropometry. Weight-related behaviours and attitudes were explored using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of participants reported engaging in at least one disordered eating behaviour, with bingeing as the most common. Female participants had significantly higher mean body mass index (p < 0.01) and mean EAT-26 score (p < 0.05) compared to males. Adolescents with EAT-26 score ≥ 20 were more desirous of being thinner (p < 0.01) and having a lighter skin complexion (p < 0.05). A greater proportion of adolescents with an EAT-26 score ≥ 20 had engaged in self-harm (p < 0.05), had smoked cigarettes (p < 0.05), had been sexually active (p < 0.01), and gave a history of sexual abuse (p < 0.01). Adolescents with overweight/obesity reported higher use of chemical weight manipulation (laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data are consistent with the global figures showing both male and female adolescents endorsing disordered eating behaviours and attitudes (DEBAs). While this study highlights weight and shape dissatisfaction and associated DEBAs, it also raises the concern of an association with skin bleaching and elevated EAT-26 scores among Jamaican adolescents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V: cross-sectional descriptive study.

Body image disturbance and skin bleaching.

This study looks at body image disturbance among Jamaicans who bleach their skin. The hypothesis states that there is a positive relationship between skin bleaching and body image disturbance. The study used a convenience sample of 160 participants with a skin bleaching group (n = 80) and a non-bleaching comparison group (n = 80). The instrument included demographic questions, the body image disturbance questionnaire (BIDQ), and questions about skin bleaching. The results of a t-test revealed that the skin bleaching group (M = 1.5255, SD = 0.42169) was not significantly different from the non-bleaching group (M = 1.4938, SD = 0.74217) in terms of body image disturbance, t(158) = 0.333, p = .740. The participants who bleached did not suffer from body image disturbance. Self-reports revealed that they bleached to acquire beauty, attract a partner, elude the police, and market skin bleaching products. The practice was fashionable and popular and it made some participants feel good, while others were fans of a popular musical artiste who bleached his skin. The majority of participants bleached because of the perceived personal, social, and entrepreneurial benefits of the practice and not because they suffered emotional distress, anxiety, and functional impairment because of their skin colour. However, there was some level of BID among the minority of participants who argued that they bleached because they wanted to be pretty so they were emotionally distressed about there body image and experienced functional impairment.

The evaluation of total mercury and arsenic in skin bleaching creams commonly used in Trinidad and Tobago and their potential risk to the people of the Caribbean.

Background. Skin lightening is very popular among women and some men of the Caribbean, and its popularity appears to be growing. The lightening of skin colour is done to produce a lighter complexion which is believed to increase attractiveness, social standing and improves one's potential of being successful. Design and Methods. Fifteen (15) common skin lightening creams found in pharmacies and cosmetic retailers throughout Trinidad and Tobago were evaluated for Mercury by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (CVAAS) and Arsenic by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (HGAAS). The results obtained were compared to global standards and previous research. Results. Fourteen (14) of the fifteen samples analysed contained Mercury in the range of 0.473 λg/g to 0.766 λg/g. One sample had a Mercury content of 14,507.74±490.75 λg/g which was over 14,000 times higher than the USFDA limit for mercury in cosmetics of 1 λg/g. All samples contained Arsenic in the range 1.016 λg/g to 6.612 λg/g, which exceeds the EU limit for cosmetics of 0 λg/g. Conclusions. All the samples analysed contained significant amounts of Mercury and Arsenic and none of them can be considered safe for prolonged human use. The samples that contained Mercury levels which were lower than the USFDA limit contained Arsenic levels which exceeded the EU standard of 0 λg/g in cosmetics. The popularity of these skin lightening creams in the Caribbean region places the population at elevated risk of chronic Mercury and Arsenic poisoning and possibly acute Mercury Poisoning.

'Fishy' make-up on the hook for mercury exposure: a case series / Maquillaje 'sospechoso' de anzuelo para la exposición al mercurio: un estudio de serie de casos

OBJECTIVE: This report examines the source and outcome of four Barbadian women with extremely high hair mercury concentrations (361-5617 ug/g inorganic mercury) due to topical application of mercury containing skin-lightening cosmetics. METHODS: Inorganic hair and urine mercury analysis was done at the toxicological centre laboratory of the Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec (Standard Council of Canada accredited). The clinical examinations were performed on location at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital of Barbados. RESULTS: Urine samples [7-135 ug/L, normal < 2 ug/L] revealed elevated mercury concentrations signifying systemic exposure. Reported symptoms during the clinical examination were consistent but nonspecific to chronic mercury exposure. CONCLUSION: Evidently, cosmetics containing dangerous levels of mercury are still available for purchase in Barbados and should be entirely banned.

OBJETIVO: Este reporte examina la fuente y evolución clínica de cuatro mujeres barbadenses con concentraciones de mercurio extremadamente altas (mercurio inorgánico de 361-5617 ug/g) en el pelo debido a la aplicación tópica de cosméticos para el aclaramiento de la piel, que contienen mercurio. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un análisis del mercurio inorgánico en el cabello y la orina, en el laboratorio del centro toxicológico del Institut National de Santé Publique du Quebec (acreditado por el Consejo de Normalización de Canadá). Los exámenes clínicos fueron realizados en el Hospital Queen Elizabeth de Barbados. RESULTADOS: Las muestras de orina [7-135 ug/L, normal < 2 ug/L] revelaron concentraciones elevadas de mercurio, indicando una exposición sistémica. Los síntomas reportados durante el examen clínico se correspondían, aunque no deforma específica, con una exposición crónica al mercurio. CONCLUSIÓN: Evidentemente, cosméticos que contienen niveles peligrosos de mercurio se hallan todavía disponibles a la venta en Barbados, y deben ser totalmente prohibidos.