Assessment of Knowledge and Stigmatisation towards Eating Disorders in Nazarbayev University Students in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric conditions that are frequently misunderstood and underdiagnosed, particularly in non-Western contexts. Despite growing evidence of the importance of early identification and intervention, the majority of eating disorder mental health literacy (ED-MHL) and stigma research assesses adolescents or clinical samples from Western countries. The aim of this study was to assess ED-MHL, endorsement of ED myths, and personal stigma among young adults at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. Method: There was a cross-sectional web-based survey of 121 students between the ages of 18–26 years old from non-medical university programs. Students completed three empirically validated measures: the ED-MHL questionnaire (18 factual items), the ED Myths questionnaire (11 items), and the Universal Stigma Scale (USS) measuring blame/personal responsibility and impairment/distrust. Descriptive, inferential, and correlation analysis examined associations between ED-MHL, stigma, and demographics. Results: Median ED-MHL score was 10/18, indicating moderate knowledge, and higher in female students. Male students endorsed ED myths more and had greater stigma on both USS subscales. No differences were seen across academic programs. Most endorsed myths were regarding family blame and dieting norms. Correlation analysis revealed that greater ED-MHL was associated with lower endorsement of myths and lower stigma, particularly in the blame/personal responsibility dimension. Conclusion: This study establishes moderate ED awareness and presence of ED-related stigma among young adults in Kazakhstan, especially among male students. Educational interventions for debunking widespread myths and stigma are crucial to enable early detection and help-seeking behaviors within university settings. Results highlight the need for culturally targeted interventions to strengthen ED-MHL and remove stigma, ultimately towards better mental health outcomes in young adult samples.