Prevalência do comportamento de risco para transtorno alimentar e fatores associados em estudantes do sexo feminino de escolas públicas

Abstract

Eating disorders affect mainly young women which coincides with a period of many changes. The objective of the present study was to verify if there is association between the result obtained in the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) with the socioeconomic profile, Body Mass Index (BMI) per age, concern and dissatisfaction with body image and body image perception. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 87 female adolescents from three public schools in Cuiabá. EAT-26, Stunkard figures and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34), which are recommended instruments to aid in the detection of risk behavior for eating disorders, were applied. BMI per age and the socioeconomic profile of adolescents were also determined. The result obtained in EAT-26 was associated with socioeconomic profile, BMI per age, and body weight dissatisfaction using the Chi-square test. From the adolescents who participated in the study, 78.16% were eutrophic, 41.38% presented a positive result for the EAT-26 test, 49.43% for BSQ-34 and 73.56% reported body image dissatisfaction according to the Stunkard figures. There was an association between the perception of body image by the Stunkard scale and the BSQ-34 test with risk eating attitudes. The study showed the existence positive risk behaviors for eating disorders and for body image dissatisfaction, indicating the need of educational strategies for the prevention of these disturbs with the participation of health professionals.