A factor that can yield to eating attitude disorders in university students: Self-esteem

To determine prevalence of eating attitude disorder (EAD) and the effect of self-esteem on EAD in female university students.Study Design: In this cross-sectional study, female university students were included. The dependent variable was EAD determined by Eating Attitude Test-40. Socio-demographic characteristics, body perception, obesity, self-compassion and self-esteem were independent variables. Logistic regression (LR) models have been established to determine the associated factors of EAD. p < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: EAD were found in 3.3% (n = 20) of the participants (n = 600). 44.5% had low and medium self-esteem and %13.4 were overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25.0). According to LR models, after adjusted for age, increased self-esteem score (decreased self-esteem) (OR:1.8, 95%CI:1.063-3.303) and practicing popular diet (OR:12.6, 95%CI:4.439-35.904) increased the risk of EAD significantly.Conclusion: EAD were less than expected in this group of university students. Self-esteem is an important factor affecting EAD. Students with EAD may be recommended to get psychological support as well as nutritional counseling.