Sociodemographic Characteristics and Eating Attitudes Among Adult Women with Different Body Mass Index Levels

Abstract

This study was conducted on evaluating the relation between nutritional status and eating attitudes in 155 women with different body mass index (BMI) levels aged from 19 to 64 who were admitted to a Family Health Center in Ankara. The general characteristics and sleep duration of the women were questioned, and the anthropometric measurements were taken. Additionally, eating attitudes test (EAT-40) scores were calculated to determine eating attitudes and behaviors. The results were examined according to three BMI levels, including participants for each BMI level homogeneously. In this study; 61.6% of underweight and normal-weight women were at the age range from 19 to 34, 64.7% of overweight women, and 77.0% of obese women were at the age range from 45 to 64 (p<0.05). The mean of education period was 13.7±3.36 years for underweight and normal-weight women, 11.5±4.31 years for overweight women, and 8.0±3.85 years for obese women (p<0.05). At the point of sadness, rage, and stress; increased appetite was seen significantly in obese individuals compared with the others (p<0.05). The mean EAT-40 scores for underweight and normal-weight women were 16.8±8.59; 19.7±8.35 for overweight women and 22.8±8.8 for obese women. Since abnormal eating behavior can be seen more in obese individuals than in other groups, an interdisciplinary approach model that includes medical doctors, dietitians and psychologists should be taken as an example, and individuals should be helped to gain healthy lifestyle habits.