Relationship between Social Physique Anxiety, Depression and the Risk of Eating Disorders in University Students

Abstract

Aim: University students are one of the groups who are at risk for eating disorders. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between social physique anxiety and depression with the risk of eating disorders in university students.

Subjects and Method: Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and REZZY (SCOFF) Eating Disorders Scale were used to assess the risk of eating behaviour disorder in a total of 318 students with a mean age of 20.6±1.7 years. Beck Depression Scale (BDS) was used to determine the presence of depression, and Social Physique Anxiety Scale was used to measure the level of discomfort that individuals feel when their physical appearance is evaluated by others.

Results: According to EAT-26 and REZZY scales, 20.1% and 28.6% of students were at risk of eating disorders, respectively. The risk of eating disorders was significantly associated with social physique anxiety (r=0.345, p=0.000) and depression (r=0.247, p=0.000). There was also a significant positive association between risk of eating disorders and body mass index (r=0.248, p=0. 000. Additionally, social physique anxiety levels were higher in overweight and obese girls (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Social-physical anxiety and depression may lead to eating disorder in university students. Further studies on risk of eating disorders and underlying factors are needed to confirm these findings on large samples. The development of depression and subsequent risk of eating disorders can be prevented by assessment of disordered eating behaviors in ‘at risk’ groups (e.g. females, overweight and/or obese subjects, presence of depression, etc.) by using short screening tools (e.g. REZZY) and monitoring body weight.