Disordered eating behaviors and psychological correlates among overweight and obese freshmen College students

Abstract

Introduction. The beginning of college studies involves important stress, which is related to an increase in the incidence of depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse and DEB.

Objective. To analyze the relationship between DEB and nutritional status measured with BMI, its association with demographic and psychological variables, and the interaction with BMI.

Method. A sample of 892 college students in their freshman year (502 females and 390 males) (X_age=19.7; SD=2.9) was studied. Weight and height were measured, and validated questionnaires were used.

Results. The prevalence of DEB was 6.1% in females and 4.1% in males. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in females was 22.6%, and 7.4% and 26.6% and 9.3% in males, respectively. Among women and men with obesity 10.8% and 11.1% showed high-DEB, whilst among overweight women and men 13.2% and 3.8% showed high-DEB, respectively. BMI increases the risk for DEB 1.6 times among women (p < 0.05), 1.4 times among men (p > 0.05). There was no interaction found between BMI and the other variables.

Discussion and conclusion. The variables related with body image increase the risk of DEB significantly (p < 0.05) in both sexes. Depressive symptoms, low self-steem increase the risk among women, and socioeconomic status and study area increase the risk of DEB among men. The specific research of DEB among males is highly recommended to avoid the under registration of cases.