Self-perception of body image, eating habits and BMI of first-year students of the School of Nutrition – UNC

Abstract

The objective was to relate the self-perceived body image, eating habits and body mass index of students enrolled in the Chemistry subject of the Bachelor of Nutrition career at the National University of Córdoba, in December 2022.

Quantitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study. Non-probabilistic sample consisting of 100 students. A survey was applied through a semi-structured online form (Google Form) disseminated through various communication channels. Variables: body image, eating habits, Body Mass Index and sociodemographic situation. For statistical analysis, ANOVA test and Fisher's exact test were performed with a significance level (α) of 0.05.

90% of the sample were women; The mean age was 21.57 years. 81% live in Córdoba Capital and more than half live with their relatives. They perceived themselves the same as their BMI (74%), overestimated their weight (20%), underestimated their weight (4%) and the remaining 2% provided no information. There is no distortion between the chosen image and the self-reported BMI. A significant association was found between breakfast (p=0.056), snack (p=0.031) and self-perceived BMI of the entire sample of students. For "frequency of consumption of the different food groups" the result showed association of the self-perceived image of the students with consumption of "legumes, cereals, potatoes, bread and pasta" (p = 0.027). For "eating", there was an association between both variables at breakfast (p = 0.002). Students were categorized according to their self-reported BMI with 76% normal weight, 6% underweight, 13% overweight and grade 1 and 2 obesity, 1% respectively for each.

It was observed that there is a relationship between self-reported BMI and self-perceived body image, as well as between dimensions within the variable eating habits, responding to our hypothesis that there was a relationship between the self-perception reported by students with their self-reported BMI and their eating habits.