Risk of eating disorders in university students: an international study in Hungary, Poland and Ukraine

Andrea Lukács; Małgorzata Wasilewska; Olha Sopel; Marie-Pierre Tavolacci; Beatrix Varga; Marta Mandziuk; Olena Lototska; Péter Sasvári; Halyna Krytska; Emőke Kiss-Tóth; Joël Ladner

doi:10.1515/ijamh-2019-0164

Article

Risk of eating disorders in university students: an international study in Hungary, Poland and Ukraine

Andrea Lukács , Małgorzata Wasilewska , Olha Sopel , Marie-Pierre Tavolacci , Beatrix Varga , Marta Mandziuk , Olena Lototska , Péter Sasvári , Halyna Krytska , Emőke Kiss-Tóth and Joël Ladner

Published/Copyright: June 9, 2020

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From the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health Volume 33 Issue 6

Abstract

Objective

In this international study, the prevalence of Eating disorders (EDs) was determined among university students and identified associated demographic and behavioral factors predicting disorders using data from three European countries.

Methods

The survey was conducted in Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine in 2018. Registered full-time students completed an online anonymous questionnaire. Students provided data about socioeconomic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), EDs, physical fitness and sport practice, psychological distress (stress, anxiety, depression), life orientation, alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 software.

Results

From the 1965 returned questionnaires 1950 were analyzed, because of the missing data (67.3% female, mean age of the total participant’s 21.40 ± 3.83 years old). EDs were observed in 26.3% of students. In logistic regression, EDs were predicted by female sex, higher BMI, single marital status, elevated psychological distress and limited access to health care.

Conclusion

EDs are relatively common in university students especially in females. Students with higher distress and BMI, limited access to health care and living without partner are at risk for EDs. This result highlights the need for a public health approach. Universities are the last chance where students can be screened in an organized setting and offer interventions early when treatment is likely to be most effective.

Keywords: BMI; distress; eating disorders; single; university students

Corresponding author: Andrea Lukács PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Care, University of Miskolc, Miskolc, Hungary. Phone: +36 46 565111/2215 ext., Fax: +36 46 366961, E-mail: lukacs.andrea@uni-miskolc.hu

Funding source: European Social Fund

Acknowledgments

The described article was carried out as part of the EFOP-3.6.1-16-00011 “Younger and Renewing University – Innovative Knowledge City – institutional development of the University of Miskolc aiming at intelligent specialization” project implemented in the framework of the Szechenyi 2020 program. The realization of this project is supported by the European Union. Co-financed by the European Social Fund.

Conflict of interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Received: 2019-07-30

Accepted: 2019-09-05

Published Online: 2020-06-09

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2019-0164

Keywords for this article

BMI; distress; eating disorders; single; university students