Influence of the nutritional status in the risk of eating disorders among female university students of nutrition: eating patterns and nutritional status

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2012-12, Vol.17 (12), p.3399-3406
• Main Authors: Silva, Janiara David, Silva, Amanda Bertolini de Jesus, de Oliveira, Aihancreson Vaz Kirchoff, Nemer, Aline Silva de Aguiar
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Body Image; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feeding and Eating Disorders - epidemiology; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Nutritional Status; Risk Factors; Students - statistics & numerical data; Universities; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232012001200024

The scope of this paper was to evaluate the relationship between changes in eating behavior associated with dissatisfaction with body image, and the nutritional status of female university students of nutrition. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 175 female students of nutrition (ENUT/UFOP). The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) were applied and anthropometric measurements were taken. 21.7% of the students were found to be high risk in terms of eating disorders, and 13.7% declared dissatisfaction with their body image. The majority of students with positive results in the BSQ and EAT-26 tests were eutrophic. The students who were overweight, with elevated body fat percentage (% BF) and waist circumference (WC) had a 5-9 times greater risk of change in eating habits. There was a positive association between the anthropometric parameters with high scores in the EAT-26 and BSQ questionnaires. The future dietitians who are overweight, with increased body fat and waist circumference were more likely to be dissatisfied with their body image and develop eating disorders. The use of other anthropometric parameters, in addition to BMI, may prove useful in screening individuals susceptible to the emergence of excessive concerns with weight and diet.