Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the eating attitudes and behaviors, including weight concerns and dieting behavior, among medical college students.

Methods: The sample consisted of 70 undergraduate students from the School of Medicine, Iasi, Romania, 22 males and 48 females, aged 25±6 years. Eating-related behaviors were measured using the EAT–26 questionnaire. Study of food intake and physical activity was conducted using a questionnaire, that included anthropometric measures, food frequency and the level of physical activity. We calculated BMI from students ‘self-reported height and weight.

Results: The mean BMI was 22.5±4 kg/m², ranging from 16.2 to 31.7 kg/m². Approximately 13% of the students were overweight, and 7% were obese. Another 17% were underweight, and the remainder (63%) were of healthy weight. The results showed that 7% of the students had a positive EAT-26 score (>20) and 10% scored higher on the dieting subscale. The results demonstrated a high prevalence of disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors among college students. Our analysis showed that students with dieting behavior report excessive exercising and consuming less cereals and meat and more legumes as compared to non-dieting behavior group.

Conclusion: The prevalence of eating disorders may be increasing in our country, because the young girls experiencing more cultural imperatives for thinness.