Associação entre o estado nutricional com a autopercepção da imagem corporal e risco de transtornos alimentares em estudantes de psicologia

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the association between nutritional status with self-perception of body image and risk of eating disorders in university students of the psychology course at a public university. Method: This is a cross sectional observational study, composed of female students, over 18 years old. For data collection, self administered questionnaires were used: EAT-26 (Eating Attitudes Test), BITE (Bulimic Investigatory Test Endiburg), BSQ (Body Shape Questionnaire) and SMT (Silhouette Matching Task). Also, sociodemographic and lifestyle data and the period of the course were collected. Results: The prevalence of risk of eating disorders according to the EAT-26 among university students was 25.5%. By the BITE scale, it was observed that 62.0% of the students presented some risk behavior for bulimia. With regard to body self-perception, the prevalence of HF distortion according to the BSQ was 62.7% and according to the SMT, most were dissatisfied with being overweight (67.6%). There was a significant association between self-perception of body image and the risk of developing ED (p<0.05). And nutritional status showed a significant association with self-perception of body image and the risk of bulimia (p<0.05). Conclusion: Excess weight is related to a higher risk of bulimia and dissatisfaction and distortion with body image in psychology students.