Abstract

DIAZ GUTIERREZ, Mary Carmen et al. Relationship between nutritional status, body dissatisfaction and risky eating behaviors in Nutrition students. Rev. Mex. de trastor. aliment [online]. 2019, vol.10, n.1, pp.53-65. ISSN 2007-1523.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fesi.20071523e.2019.1.490.

The sociocultural pressure on university students, and particularly those studying Nutrition, negatively influences their body image (BI), which favors the adoption of risky eating behaviors (REB), regardless of their nutritional status (NS). The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between body dissatisfaction (BD), NS and REB in Nutrition students. A total of 370 students from a private university participated (93.5% women), with a mean age of 19.5 years (SD = 2.5). Although 81% of the students were normal weight, 72.3% had BD. Participants with obesity, overweight or normal weight had moderate risk of REB (p < .05), but not those who were satisfied with their BI (p < .05). Specifically, students who wished to have a thinner silhouette showed greater risk of REB (OR = 2.97, p < .05) vs. those who wished to have a robust silhouette (p = . 76). In addition, the higher body mass index, the more exercise to lose weight, restrictive diets, binge eating and loss of control when eating (p < .05). It is necessary to develop interventions aimed at improving body satisfaction to prevent REB among university students, with greater emphasis on those who choose Nutrition as a professional career.

Keywords : Body image; Eating disorders; Eating behaviors; Body weight; Nutrition students.