The Relationship Between Disordered Eating Attitudes, Nutritional Knowledge Levels, and Overweight and Obesity Among University Students: A Single-Center Study in Türkiye

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between irregular eating attitudes and nutritional knowledge levels and obesity and overweight of university students studying at a university in Türkiye. Materials and Methods: A three-part survey, consisting of socio-demographic information, the Eating Attitude Test-26, and the Nutrition Knowledge Scale, was applied. After the survey, the height and weight of all participants were measured. It was aimed to reach all students, but the survey form was applied to 628 students in total. Results: The male students had higher average weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) values than the female students. The Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) score was significantly higher in the female students. The study showed that among the male students who were overweight and obese in terms of BMI, the probability of exceeding the EAT-26 cut-off limit was 4.25 times higher (OR=4.25 [1.38-7.33], p<0.001). Among the female students who were overweight and obese in terms of BMI, the probability of exceeding the EAT-26 cut-off limit was 3.92 times higher (OR=3.92 [2.44-8.04], p<0.001). Conclusions: Disordered eating attitudes and poor nutritional knowledge levels were more common among those students who were overweight or obese.