Examination of eating disorder risk and effective factors in university students

Abstract

The aim of this study; determine the eating attitudes and behaviors of university students, who are a sensitive population in terms of eating disorders, and to examine some related factors. A structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews collected the data. The data collection form has two sections: one for sociodemographics and health behaviors, and one for dietary habits and eating disorders using eating disorders scale (REZZY). The questionnaire explained voluntary study participation. The mean age of the 762 university students included in the study was 23.44±5.33 years and 58.40% were female. Variables that one-off analyses suggested might be connected to the risk of developing eating disorders were examined using the logistic regression model. There was a significant and positive correlation between the REZZY-Total (REZZY-T) score, bulimia and food preoccupation (EAT-1) and dieting (EAT-2) (p<0.01). The study group's female had an eating disorder risk that was 2.1 times greater than that of the male. As students advance through their educational phase, the risk of eating disorders significantly declines (p<0.001). Positive factors reduced the risk of eating disorders by 1.4 times, whereas negative factors roughly doubled it (p<0.001). Impaired eaters eat when they're not hungry, restrict their diet, obsess over their diet, and use food to cope with negative emotions. This will cause emotional, physical, and social problems and lower their quality of life. To prevent disease, improve mental health, and reduce social issues, examine eating behavior.