Disordered Eating Behaviors Among College Students: Does Nutrition Major Matter?

Abstract

ObjectiveThe evidence of whether nutrition professionals are free from food‐related issues or at higher risk for disordered eating behaviors (e.g. dieting, emotional eating, and lack of oral control) is inconsistent. The current study aimed to assess and compare disordered eating behaviors between nutrition major and non‐nutrition major college students.Methods: College students (n=967, ages 18‐25, female 72.7%, white 74.8%) enrolled at a public university in 2014 were recruited to take an online survey. The survey includes demographic characteristics and three validated questionnaires measuring specific disordered eating behaviors and attitude.Results: Many participants engaged in disordered eating behaviors. Overall, 27% are at a high level of concern about dieting, body weight or problematic eating behavior. About 10.3% meet the criteria for “food dependence” diagnosis. When comparing nutrition major, health‐related non‐nutrition major, and other major students, there were no significant differences in nearly all behaviors such as dieting, bulimia, oral control, cognitive restraint, emotional eating and food dependence symptom count.ConclusionThe findings suggest that prevention and nutrition intervention for college students may be needed to address disordered eating behaviors. Enrollment in nutrition major seems not a factor affecting the rate of disordered eating behaviors among college students.