Eating disorders risk behavior in Brazilian female university students

Authors

  • Marle dos Santos Alvarenga Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Saúde Pública
  • Fernanda Baeza Scagliusi Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Campus Baixada Santista
  • Sonia Tucunduva Philippi USP; Faculdade de Saúde Pública; Departamento de Nutrição

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832011000100002

Keywords:

Eating disorders, EAT-26, risk factors, eating attitudes, college students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Risk behavior for eating disorders enrolled inadequate practices and attitudes with food and weight control and could be evaluated with valid instruments. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate risk behaviors for eating disorders among Brazilian female university students from different regions. METHODS: 2.483 college students filled out the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) at five regions in Brazil. The test score was compared among regions by chi-square test and possible associations or correlations with major, age, nutritional status, individual income and parental education evaluated by Pearson and Spearman coefficients. A covariance analysis compared the EAT scores among regions. RESULTS: The frequency of positive eating disorder behavior ranges from 23.7% to 30.1% among five regions. There was no difference in EAT scores among regions, and there was not strong correlation between EAT scores and the variables studied. DISCUSSION: Brazilian female university students have high frequency of risk behaviors for eating disorders in all regions of the country. Prevention strategies must be developed for the young female population of Brazil.

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Published

2011-01-01

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2011)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Eating disorders risk behavior in Brazilian female university students . (2011). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 38(1), 03-07. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832011000100002