Survey of risk behavior for eating disorders, nutritional status and sources of information used by adolescents

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a vulnerable phase for the development of eating disorders, where intense psychological, biological and social adaptations occur. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of risk behaviors for the development of eating disorders in adolescents and their association with sex, nutritional status and sources of information on nutrition. METHODS: Study conducted with 191 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 15 and 19 years. To identify risk behaviors for eating disorders, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was used. Nutritional status was assessed using the Body Mass Index according to the standards of the World Health Organization. Finally, the Nutrition Information Sources Questionnaire was applied. The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A 28% risk for the development of eating disorders was found in the sample analyzed, with a higher risk among female adolescents (37%). Regarding nutritional status, most of the adolescents evaluated were eutrophic (75%). The most used source of information by the participants was the internet (87%), followed by television (57%). CONCLUSION: The study showed a relevant percentage of risk for eating disorders. Therefore, due to the impacts generated by the pathology, important actions aimed at this public for prevention are taken.