| dc.description.abstract | Background. Body image dissatisfaction is an important risk factor for eating
disorders among young adults. Local data among health faculty students are
essential for designing promotive–preventive interventions.
Objective. To analyze the association between body image and eating disorder risk among students of the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Methods. An analytical observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 students of the Faculty of Public Health, USU, using consecutive sampling. Body image was assessed using the BSQ-34, eating disorder risk using the EAT-26, and nutritional status using Body Mass Index (BMI). Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-square test (α = 0.05).
Results. The sample consisted of 100 respondents, predominantly female (89%) and aged 18 years (52%). The prevalence of eating disorder risk (EAT-26 ≥ 20) was 39% (n = 39). Body image distribution was: no concern 48% (n = 48), mild dissatisfaction 19% (n = 19), moderate dissatisfaction 15% (n = 15), and severe dissatisfaction 18% (n = 18). A significant association was found between body image categories and eating disorder risk (p = 0.001); the proportion of abnormal eating patterns increased with higher levels of dissatisfaction (18.8% in the “no concern” group to 88.9% in the “severe dissatisfaction” group). BMI category was also significantly associated with eating disorder risk (p = 0.002); the overweight/obese group showed the highest proportion (76.5%).
Conclusion. Body image dissatisfaction is strongly associated with increased risk of eating disorders among Public Health students at USU. Nutritional status (overweight/obesity) is also related to higher risk. These findings support the need for early detection and integrated counseling services (nutrition–psychology) on campus.
Keywords: body image, eating disorder, university students, BSQ-34, EAT-26. | en_US |
