The relation between the body perceptions and eating habits of the students in Inonu University

Abstract

Abstract Objective:The study has been planned in order to examine the relation between the eating habits of university students and the other factors influencing this relation. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the cross-sectional design in Inonu University, and the sampling method, which is used in situations where the number of the universe is known, was used in the study, and the 573 students were contacted with the layered sampling method according to the faculty. The data were collected with face-to-face method by using the Body Perception Scale and Eating Habits Test, and with a questionnaire form that evaluated the demographic socio-cultural characteristics and eating habits of the students. Results:According to the Body Mass Index of the WHO, 78.4% of the students were at normal weight; 12.6% were found to be slightly overweight. 17.5% of the students received points that were below 135 from the Body Perception Scale, and were found to have lower body perception levels. It was determined that 32.3% of the students, who participated in the study, received over 26 points, which is the cutoff score of the eating habit test, and had obvious eating disorders. It was determined in the correlation that there was a positive and statistically significant relation between the Eating Habits and Body Perceptions Scales of the students(r=0.189;p<0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the majority of the students were in normal weight according to Body Mass Index classification, and less than half of the students had obvious eating disorders. It was also determined that the students, who had eating disorders, had high body perception satisfaction levels. Keywords: Body Perception; Students; Eating Disorders.