Factors associated with Abnormal Eating Behaviors among Women College Students

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive correlation study was to examine the correlations among body mass index, paternal and maternal parenting, alexithymia, depression, and abnormal eating behaviors, and to determine asso-ciated risk factors for Korean women college students. Methods: Data were collected from 270 women college stu-dents in S city, Korea. They were asked to fill out the Korean version of the Eating Attitude Test, Parental Bonding Instrument, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The collected data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson`s correlation coefficient, and hierarchial regression analysis. Results: College students` abnormal eating behaviors were significantly associated with body mass index, paternal and maternal parenting, alexithymia, and depression. Hierarchical regression analysis found the most im-portant predictors of abnormal eating behaviors were body mass index and depression, which explained 15% of the variance in abnormal eating behaviors. Conclusion: These results suggest that women college students with over-weight and higher levels of depression are vulnerable to disordered eating behavior. Management of obesity and depressive mood could be effective interventions to prevent disordered eating behavior.