Comportamentos de risco para transtornos alimentares em universitários da área da saúde do sul do Brasil

Abstract

Introduction: Risk behaviors for eating disorders can lead to numerous health damages and, in university students, seem to negatively influence academic performance. Objective: To evaluate risk behaviors for eating disorders and associated factors in university students in the health area of ​​a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in southern Brazil. Methodology: Cross-sectional epidemiological study, consisting of university students in the health area of ​​an HEI in southern Brazil. Data collection was carried out through a self-administered questionnaire, investigating sociodemographic and academic data. Risk behaviors for eating disorders were assessed by the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). To verify associations between the outcome and the independent variables, the chi-square test was applied. Furthermore, the Mann-Whitney U Test or the Kruskal-Wallis Test with Bonferroni's post-hoc was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program, version 18.0, with a confidence interval of 95% (p≤0.05). Results: Of the 353 investigated, predominantly, 90.4% of the university students were female and 65.2% were between 18 and 25 years old. Regarding risk behaviors for eating disorders, the prevalence was 25.5%. Furthermore, there was an association with sex (p=0.032), age (p=0.021), living with sibling(s) (p=0.028) and the number of subjects taken (p=0.019). Conclusion: It was observed that sex, age, living with sibling(s) and number of subjects taken were associated with the outcome. The identification of associated factors favors the early identification of these behaviors, providing the opportunity for adequate treatment and the prevention of health complications.