Risk Factors for Eating Disorders and Perception of Body in Young Adults Associated with Sex

Abstract

(1) Background: The integrated approach to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders (EDs) requires knowledge and can be used only when specific risk factors are known. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in food choices and eating behavior between males and females; (2) Methods: This study comprised 148 females and 27 males aged from 18 to 26-years-old (MEAN ± SD = 21.4 ± 1.86 years old). Information about EDs was obtained from four different measures: the body mass index (BMI), the eating disorder screen for primary care (ESP), a standardized and validated questionnaire called “My Eating Habits” and the food frequency questionnaire with 10 answers (FFQ-10); (3) Results: The risk for developing eating disorders was detected in nearly 67% of respondents. It was also shown that EDs were more common in females and how body weight affected the way individuals feel about themselves. Females showed more unhealthy eating habits, which contributed to dietary restrictions and emotional overeating, as they were also afraid of gaining weight. The frequency of eating meat and drinking alcohol was higher in males, whereas eating legume seeds was less frequent in females. (4) Conclusions: This study opens a new field, which will help health care professionals recognize the problems with eating disorders and treat them based on different sex characteristics.

Psychosocial Factors in Adolescence and Risk of Development of Eating Disorders

“…Numerous studies have already pointed out the importance of the use of new technologies in the appearance and maintenance of EDs [ 50 , 51 ]. On the other hand, exposure to the media seems to precede the emergence of eating disorders, since ideas, models, and innumerable products and services that do not reproduce common women or men, nor represent a healthy body weight are disseminated on TV [ 52 ]. In a longitudinal study carried out a few years ago, it was found that a longer time of exposure to television programs predicted the internalization of the ideals of appearance and thinness one year later [ 53 ].…”

Reliability and validity of the hidden hunger assessment scale for Chinese high school students

“…In our scale, we developed the dimension “health condition and eating habits”, which included two items: “Suffer from diarrhea, constipation and/or chronic gastric diseases” and “High study pressure, fast and irregular eating habits”. The unhealthy state of digestive system, eating disorders, and unhealthy eating habits reduce digestion and absorption of nutrients and lead to micronutrient deficiency and malnutrition[52-57]. In summary, the results indicate that the HHAS-HSS presents good reliability and validity among high school students in Anhui Province, China, and is a new and effective tool for assessing the risk of hidden hunger.…”