FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND RISK OF HAVING HEALTH COLLEGE STUDENTS DEVELOPING EATING DISORDERS

Abstract

Objective: Investigating the association between Health students’ family environment and behaviors suggesting the risk of developing eating disorders. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with quantitative approach. Data were collected with an instrument that was divided into three parts: anthropometric and identification data, aspects linked to eating disorders (Eating Attitudes test - Test-EAT-26) and environmental aspects (Family Environment scale). Results: the desire to lose weight was reported by students enrolled in all courses, although these students were healthy, according to their body mass index (22.75 kg/m²). Based on the EAT-26 distribution, 16% of the sample showed positive risk of developing eating disorders. The highest positive EAT-26 rates were recorded for Nursing students (27%), whereas the lowest rates were observed in medical students (10%). however, there was not significant difference between courses (p = 0.204). The comparative analysis between EAT-26 and family environment was a pioneer strategy adopted in this type of study and it showed that only domain “Conflict” was significantly associated with EAT-26 (p = 0.008). This outcome indicates that eating disorders are associated with conflicting families. Conclusion: The study highlighted the need of including the evaluation of eating disorder behaviors and the family environment scale in health promotion actions focused on vulnerable groups at risk to develop eating disorders. DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2019.33308

Keywords

• transtorno alimentar
• cursos em ciências da saúde
• estudantes.