Assessment of Eating Attitudes and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Female Students Studying Nutrition and Dietetics

Abstract

The study seeks to assess eating attitudes and healthy lifestyle behaviors of female students studying Nutrition and Dietetics, a field where dieticians who give right messages about healthy diet are trained. The research was conducted on a total number of 160 female students studying Nutrition and Dietetics. The data were collected through face-to-face interview using questionnaire form. The questionnaire included questions about the socioeconomic features, feeding habits and physical activity levels of students. Then anthropometric measurements were taken and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale (HLBS) were administered. SPSS 15.0 software was used to statistically analyze the data. Students' EAT- 40 score average is 13.6±7.4. The prevalence of those with high eating disorder risk is low (2.5%) and their total HLBS score average was found to have an intermediate level (124.1±16). EAT-40 score which shows a potential eating disorder in eating behaviors were found to be significantly high in students who were diagnosed with an illness (p=0.017), those following a diet (p=0.022) and those dissatisfied with their body weight (p=0.00). Total HLBS score on the other hand is significantly higher among students diagnosed with an illness (p=0.03). In conclusion, the study has found that eating disorder prevalence among female students studying Nutrition and Dietetics is low and that their score average from HLBS has an intermediate level.

Comparison of Nutritional Intake and Dietary Behaviors in Overweight/Obese and Nonobese University Students: A School-Based Study

“…HPLP Exercise Scale scores of the students who exercised at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity intensity 5 times a week were found to be significantly higher than all other groups. Similarly, in the study conducted by Alkan et al with university students, the HPLP Exercise Scale scores of the students with high physical activity level were found to be higher than the other groups (31). In the study of Yalcinkaya et al, The group who exercised 3-4 days or more a week got higher scores in all sub-dimensions of physical activity and overall total (32).…”

The Effect of Bigorexia Nervosa on Eating Attitudes and Physical Activity: A Study on University Students

“…ere is also a study reporting that there is no significant difference between skipping meals and eating disorders [63]. Another study found that fasting, skipping meals, vomiting, and laxative use were common in adolescents with low body satisfaction and unhealthy weight control behaviors [64].…”

“…In the studies conducted with university students, it was observed that students who skip meals tend to have a higher risk of eating disorders [ 60 , 62 ]. There is also a study reporting that there is no significant difference between skipping meals and eating disorders [ 63 ]. Another study found that fasting, skipping meals, vomiting, and laxative use were common in adolescents with low body satisfaction and unhealthy weight control behaviors [ 64 ].…”