A cross-sectional study of body shape and eating attitude among Indian female healthcare students

Eating Attitudes, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Dietetic Students and Association with Body Mass Index and Body Fat Percent: A Cross-Sectional Study

University students face challenges impacting psychology and dietary choices. The present work examined the association between eating attitudes, stress, anxiety, and depression to body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage in Dietetics students. Respondents completed the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire, and the Hellenic Physical Activity Questionnaire (HPAQ). Anthropometry and a bioimpedance analysis were performed. The EAT-26 score was 11 (8-16) and the DASS score was 20 (11-36) (medians and interquartile ranges). Disordered eating was detected in 20% of men and 15% of women. Depressive symptomatology was detected in 30% of males and 23% of females, anxiety in 35% of males and 40% of females, and stress in 29% of males and 35% of females. EAT-26 and DASS scores were highly correlated (r = 0. 0.221, p = 0.001). The EAT-26 oral control subscale (B = 0.430, SE = 0.184, p = 0.026) was positively correlated with BMI in men in the models, adjusted for age, physical activity, and Mediterranean Diet Score, while no association was documented for % body fat. The DASS depression score was not related to BMI in multi-adjusted models. In conclusion, disordered eating, depression, stress, and anxiety are present in this sample of university students. The relationship between disordered eating and BMI needs consideration in programs targeting overweight or underweight in Dietetics students.

Eating Disorders and the Use of Cognitive Enhancers and Psychostimulants Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

University students, who are at risk of eating disorders (ED), are more liable to use cognitive enhancers and psychostimulants to improve their cognitive functions and lose weight. ED in Palestinian male students is a neglected health issue. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and the association between ED and cognitive enhancers, and psychostimulants use among An-Najah National University students (ANNU).

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study conducted in 2020 at ANNU, 1047 students completed anonymous surveys for cognitive enhancers practice, the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), Sick, Control, One, Fat and FOOD (SCOFF) screening tests.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ED among ANNU students was 21.2% based on EAT-26 (17.1% in males, 23.8% in females) and 31.5% based on SCOFF (24.0% in males, 36.3% in females). The binary logistic regression revealed that students at risk to have ED were water-pipe smokers (OR: 1.471, p-value 0.047), especially males, while students who were less likely to have ED were males (OR: 0.341, p-value<0.001), coffee users (OR: 0.581, p-value 0.014) and chocolate users (OR: 0.530, p-value 0.041) than nonusers. Moreover, the risk of ED increased with increasing body mass index (p-value<0.01). Clinical medical students showed the lowest prevalence (11.1%) compared to preclinical (22.5%), health sciences (23.7%), and non-medical students (20.9%) (p-value 0.059).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight water-pipe smoking as a significant health problem in males with ED, which may require unique treatment and prevention strategies. Moreover, coffee and chocolate consumption were associated with decreased risk of ED, only among males. The gender-gap in ED prevalence was very narrow compared to international results. These results prompt the need to focus on both genders in future studies instead of females. They also suggest the urgent need to address ED among Palestinian university students by educating students about mental health, identifying high-risk students, and offering easily accessible psychological help.

Fatores de risco para transtornos alimentares em graduandos de enfermagem

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar a presença de fatores de risco em estudantes de enfermagem para o desenvolvimento de transtornos alimentares. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com graduandos de enfermagem de universidade pública, onde foi utilizado questionário de caracterização, Teste de Atitudes Alimentares (EAT) e Questionário de Imagem Corporal (BSQ). Para análise dos dados foi utilizado análise descritiva, correlação de Pearson e regressão linear. Resultados: de 120 graduandos, 30 (25%) apresentaram alteração do comportamento alimentar, 55 (45,8%) insatisfação com imagem corporal. Observou-se correlação simples positiva entre os instrumentos EAT e BSQ (p<0,001) onde 20 (66,7%) dos 55 graduandos com alterações de BSQ apresentaram também alterações de EAT; associação significativa entre comportamento alimentar de risco (EAT) e o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) acima do estado de eutrofia; associação significativa entre preocupação com a imagem corporal (BQS) e o ano de graduação, com destaque para terceiro e quarto anos. Houve diferença significativa entre os instrumentos utilizados e idade, a mostrar que, na amostra estudada, os graduandos mais jovens apresentaram-se com maior risco para o desenvolvimento de transtornos alimentares. Conclusão: Graduandos de enfermagem apresentaram fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de transtornos alimentares com a presença de preocupação com imagem corporal e alteração de comportamento alimentar. Etiologia multifatorial dos transtornos alimentares sugere que pesquisas devem focalizar prevenção, com foco na construção, em jovens, de conceito positivo sobre autoimagem e sobre si mesmos, a desenvolver o pensamento crítico sobre padrões de imagem e imposições midiáticas e sociais.