The prevalence of eating disorders has been increasing in the Asian countries. Malays in Singapore are at the crossroads because they are largely traditional in practice and almost all are Muslim, but are exposed to western culture. Studies found that Malays at increased risk of eating disorders but yet those that present for treatment are very small, and this study aims to study Malays with eating disorders to unveil this contradiction.

All Malay patients presenting to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), which hosts the only specialized eating disorder programme in Singapore, between 2003 and 2014 were identified and medical records studied retrospectively.

Malays constitute only 42 out of 1340 patients treated in the same period. The mean age at presentation is 18.81 years (SD = 5.54) and the majority are students (78.6%). A total of 92.9% are single. There are more cases of bulimia nervosa than anorexia nervosa (45.2% vs. 26.2%). In total, 54.8% have psychiatric comorbidities, the most common is depression (31.0%), 38.1% have a history of deliberate self-harm and 21.4% attempted suicide. A total of 52.4% reported teasing as a trigger, while 16.7% were triggered by being overweight.

There is only a small number of Malays that presented. Fasting is commonly which may be confused with restriction. Other factors could be lack of awareness. The higher prevalence of bulimia nervosa suggests that purging is recognized as abnormal. High prevalence of comorbidities suggests that family members recognize comorbidities better. Outreach programs for Malay will help increase awareness.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.