Prevalence of disordered eating behaviors and associated factors in Brazilian university students

Abstract

Background: University students may be a vulnerable group to adopt unhealthy behaviors, including changes in eating behavior. Assessment of factors associated with the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors in this population may facilitate the early identification of their predictors, thus allowing fast interventions. Aim: To analyze the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors (DEB) and associated factors in Brazilian university students. Methods: Cross-sectional study of male and female students aged 16–25 years, enrolled in full-time degree program at a public university in the mid-west of Brazil. Disordered eating behaviors in the last three months (binge eating, purging, and food restriction), through an adapted version of the instrument developed by Hay, was evaluated and the association with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, including lifestyle, body image, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and excess weight, was analyzed. A hierarchical analysis model was performed to determine the relative importance of factors on the prevalence of DEB. Results: A total of 1608 university students were evaluated (50.7% male). Prevalence of DEB was 4.4% for binge eating, 2.5% for purging and 9.1% for food restriction, all of which were higher among women (7.0%, 4.4%, and 13.5%) compared with men (1.8%, 0,6%, and 4.9%, respectively). The factors that remained significantly associated with these behaviors were female sex, smoking, consumption of alcoholic beverages, dissatisfaction with body image, excess weight, high perceived stress, and presence of self-reported depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Factors associated with DEB signal that intervention is required to create synergy between individual and population-level interventions in lifestyle behaviors.

Association between body weight misperception and dietary patterns in Brazilian adolescents: Cross-sectional study using ERICA data

“…Worldwide, there is moderate evidence of an association between overestimation of weight and unhealthy weight control strategies (use of diet medication, purging, or fasting) and disordered eating behaviors in children and adolescents [ 18 ]. In Brazil, a direct relationship was found between weight concerns and food restriction [ 19 ] or other eating disorders [ 20 ] in adolescents. Further, among Brazilian adolescents, the perceived weight, rather than actual nutritional status, tended to be more associated with extreme efforts toward weight control such as vomiting or laxative use [ 21 ].…”

Depressão, Ansiedade, Estresse E Qualidade do Sono em Pacientes com Transtornos Alimentares

“…A insônia também pode estar associada a piores resultados no tratamento para transtornos alimentares, de modo que os profissionais de saúde devem considerar a incorporação de avaliações de saúde mental para insônia, depressão e ansiedade nos esforços atuais de prevenção, diagnóstico e intervenção dos transtornos alimentares 21,22 . Outro fator que tem sido relacionado às desordens no comportamento alimentar é a percepção elevada de estresse 23 . Similarmente, neste estudo, observou-se níveis elevados de estresse na maior parte dos pacientes com transtornos alimentares e verificou-se que esta alteração esteve associada ao menor número de residentes no domicílio do indivíduo.…”

The relationship between food and cooking skills, and eating behaviors in people with overweight or obesity

“…In several studies, lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet have also been associated with unhealthy eating behaviors [57,58]. In particular, an association was determined between smoking and food restriction behavior, and it was reported that smokers displayed food restriction behavior approximately twice as much as non-smokers [59]. It is also stated that most smokers tend to have lower body weights, and that smoking cessation often leads to overweight or obesity [60].…”