Body Image and Eating Behaviors among El-Minia University Students

Abstract

Abstract: body image and eating behavior have been major concern for adulthood especially among college students. In this study, we aimed to know body image concern among college students and assess the relationship between body image and eating behavior among university students. Subjects and Methods: cross-sectional study of 495 male and female students enrolled in first and fourth grade from practical and non practical faculties randomly selected completed a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34) and Body Figure Rating Scale (BFRS). Results: The majority of male and female students have normal weight and average body mass index, Females choose (thin figure, very thin and below average, respectively) as a current shape which represent their body shape. While males choose shape (below average and thin figure) as current shape. Females were significantly more feeling anxious, overweight, and concerned about their body shape than males (p=0.001, 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, it was concluded that about more than half of participants have normal weight according BMI. The present study found that females were more concerned about their body shape more than males. Body shape concerns among females were associated with anxiousness, feeling overweight, and preoccupation with food and purging behavior. Recommendations: health education about body image and its effect on psychological status and eating behaviors of the students and how to deal with negative body image.