Attitudes and awareness towards eating disorders among students: a preliminary study

Abstract

Aim of the studyThe aim of the present study was two-fold. The first purpose was to evaluate eating attitude and behaviours as well as knowledge about eating disorders in young adults women and men. The second purpose was to assess the relationship between measurable variables in both groups.Subject or material and methodsThe research consisted of 34 female and 32 male young adults aged 19-21 years. The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire and the Eating Disorders Awareness Test were distributed to all participantsResultsFemale undergraduate students were more concerned about their weight and shape than male undergraduate students. Differences in eating disorders awareness between female and male groups were significant. In women knowledge of issues relevant to eating disorders was higher than in male. Among all participants, 52.9% of female and 18.75% of males declared an interest in eating disorders. Both women (72.2%) and men (50%) most often derived their knowledge about anorexia and bulimia nervosa from science press books and publications.DiscussionModerate positive correlations between avoidance of eating and shape concern as well as weight concern were found in both groups. In addition, in female university students restraint was related to eating concern.ConclusionsSince weight and shape concerns are considered to be integral to the psychopathology of eating disorders, it is definitely worth paying attention to the prevention of eating-related attitudes and behaviour in youth, particularly in female