Eating behaviour among undergraduate students. Comparing nutrition students with other courses

Disordered Eating Behaviors and Food Addiction among Nutrition Major College Students

“…These findings are in agreement with some studies [17,18,39], in which students in nutrition major were neither at higher risk of eating disorder nor differed in subscale behaviors, compared to students in other majors. This is inconsistent, however, with other studies, in which female nutrition and dietetics students had higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (EAT-26 scores) compared to other first year program students [15], and nutrition students showed higher levels of dietary restraint than non-nutrition students [12,14]. In those studies, nutrition students might be at higher levels of food restriction in order to lose or maintain weight than in other majors [12,14].…”

“…This is inconsistent, however, with other studies, in which female nutrition and dietetics students had higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (EAT-26 scores) compared to other first year program students [15], and nutrition students showed higher levels of dietary restraint than non-nutrition students [12,14]. In those studies, nutrition students might be at higher levels of food restriction in order to lose or maintain weight than in other majors [12,14]. However, the high restraint levels in first year college students might possibly have been counterbalanced by healthy approaches to weight control or healthier food choices and were not necessarily transformed to eating disorders in later program years [12].…”

“…An international study revealed that 77% of nutrition professionals (e.g., professors, teachers, dietitians) from 14 countries felt eating disorders were a concern for nutrition students [13]. Several studies indeed suggested the prevalence of eating disorders in college students studying nutrition is higher than in students studying other majors [14,15,16]. In a study comparing eating behavior between Portuguese undergraduate nutrition students and students attending other courses, nutrition students presented higher restraint and binge eating than students from other courses [14].…”

“…Several studies indeed suggested the prevalence of eating disorders in college students studying nutrition is higher than in students studying other majors [14,15,16]. In a study comparing eating behavior between Portuguese undergraduate nutrition students and students attending other courses, nutrition students presented higher restraint and binge eating than students from other courses [14]. In another study conducted in South Africa, a higher prevalence eating disorder risk in first-year nutrition and dietetic students was reported when compared to other non-nutrition related students (33.3% vs. 16.9%; p = 0.059) [17].…”

Relevant Factors to Healthy Eating and to Be Healthy From the Perspective of Nutrition Students

“…Entretanto, graduandos estão imersos no mesmo ambiente e sujeitos às mesmas influências que as demais pessoas, modulando suas atitudes alimentares. Alguns estudos apontam, entre estudantes de Nutrição, maior prática de restrição alimentar com o intuito de manter ou perder peso, 14 frequência de comportamento de risco para transtornos alimentares -incluindo ortorexia nervosa-15 e insatisfação corporal. 16 A despeito disso, eles serão futuros agentes de saúde, responsáveis pela atuação em diversas áreas que envolvem a "promoção, manutenção e recuperação da saúde por meio da alimentação", conforme atribuições da profissão segundo o conselho de classe 17 .…”