Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted in a descriptive and comparative design to evaluate the relationship between body image and eating behaviors of nursing school students.

Methods: The population of the study was 372 students studying at a nursing school of a foundation university on the European side of Istanbul, and the sample consisted of 276 students who voluntarily participated in the study. The data of the study was collected using the Socio-Demographic Information Form and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and Body Perception Scale. In evaluating the data of the study, descriptive statistical analysis, normal distribution tests (Skewness and Kurtosis), Cronbach Alpha, Independent groups t-test / Mann Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA / Kruskal Wallis test, and Pearson Correlation test were used.

Results: Among the students in the study, the levels of external eating were found to be significantly higher in the 19-23 age group (p<0.05). Emotional eating and external eating levels were found to be statistically significantly higher for those in the Obese Body Mass Index (BMI) class, and the restrictive eating levels of those who were overweight (p<0.05). It was determined that women and emotional individuals were less satisfied with their bodies (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It was observed that individual and social characteristics affect individuals’ eating behavior and body satisfaction; emotional eating is more common in women, those with broken families, and 18-year-olds; women, those who describe themselves as emotional, and individuals aged 24 and over are less satisfied with their bodies. A positive correlation was found between body image perceptions and eating attitudes. In order for individuals to be healthy at a social level, activities to raise awareness of children on healthy foods and nutrition should be expanded, starting from primary school.