Factors Influencing Eating Problems among Korean University Women

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that influence university women with eating problems. Methods: Study participants were 307 women from two universities. Self-report questionnaires which included items on eating problems, satisfaction with body shape, self-esteem, body mass index, and weight control methods were used. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, ${\chi}^2$ tests, and a multiple binary logistic regression. Results: About 20% of the undergraduate women were experiencing eating problems. The problematic eating group showed more dissatisfaction with body shape than the normal eating group, and used more diets, fasting, diet-products, and uretics/laxatives to control body weight. Significant predictors for the problematic eating group were diets, diet-products, BMI, self-esteem and dissatisfaction with body shape. The strongest predictors were diets; risk for women university students who had been on a diet was 15 times higher than their counterparts. Conclusion: It is pertinent for health professionals to start intervention programs to educate university women with eating problems. The contents should include information on healthy weight control methods, improving satisfaction with body shape and self esteem, as well as creating social atmosphere about healthy body shape for women.

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