Mental health literacy and stigma towards eating disorders in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) are complex mental health conditions influenced by genetic, psychological, and sociocultural factors. In Saudi Arabia, rising ED prevalence among youth underscores the need for early diagnosis, increased awareness, and targeted intervention. This study examined the relationship between Mental Health Literacy (MHL) and EDs stigma within the Saudi population. METHODS: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 370 participants across all Saudi provinces through a convenience sampling method. Data analysis was conducted by the R software version 4.2.2. RESULTS: Findings from this study showed generally high MHL and low to moderate stigma. There was a significant inverse relationship between MHL and stigma. Unadjusted linear regression indicated that higher MHL was associated with lower ED stigma. Other predictors of greater stigma included male gender, older age, being married, employment in the private sector, and higher income. Exposure to EDs, such as knowing someone with an ED or having self-diagnosed, was associated with reduced stigma. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study underscore the central role of MHL in mitigating stigma toward EDs. Enhancing public education about EDs and promoting accurate understanding may reduce stigmatizing attitudes, improve early intervention, and support better health outcomes in Saudi Arabia.