Characteristics associated with risky eating behaviors among university students in Mexico City

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to identify characteristics associated with risky eating behaviors (REB) in university students. Participants were 781 women and 570 male students of a public university, with an average age of 20.1 years (SD = 2.7) and 21.2 years (SD = 3.3), respectively. The participants completed a set of self-report questionnaires, and their weight and height were measured. The prevalence of moderate frequency REB among women was 23.0% and high frequency 10.1%, while among men it was 22.3% and 6.7%, respectively (p = 0.07). Among women, the characteristics that increased the risk to present REB were: body dissatisfaction (OR = 5.4), negative affect (OR = 3.8), internalization of the ideal of thinness (OR = 3.6), and practicing some sport (OR = 2.8). Among men, these characteristics were: having being teased (OR = 10.3), drive for muscularity (OR = 3.4), body mass index (OR = 3.5) and practicing some sport (OR = 3.1). Given the different characteristics that increase the probability of presenting REB among university students and men, it is necessary to establish models that describe the specific risk conditions according to sex, as well as, to develop appropriate instruments and interventions.