Risk of eating disorders related to body shape perception in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: currently, young people face mental problems that have an impact on their behavior, one of them being Eating Behavior Disorders (ED), which, according to the WHO, manifest abnormal eating behaviors, distortion of how they look physically, paying more attention to their weight and the food they eat. Objective: to analyze the risk of eating disorders and their relationship with the perception of body shape in adolescents. Method: quantitative, descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional research in high school students whose eating attitudes and body shape were evaluated. The study subjects were selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling in 184 students with informed parental consent and student’s assent. The data were analyzed in the statistical program SPSS version 15,0 demo with descriptive and inferential statistics, with adherence to international and national ethical aspects. Results: participants at risk of ATT represented 7,6 % of the population, 33,2 % obtained body shape concern, 20,1 % were identified as underweight and 21,2 % as overweight and obese. Conclusions: a relationship was observed between the variables body shape perception and risk of ED (rs=,448; p=<0,000) determining that the greater the concern for body shape the greater the risk of eating disorders. Therefore, nursing professionals should intervene immediately to address the problem with strategies that have an impact on the health of adolescents.