Autopercepción del peso y conductas de riesgo relacionadas con los trastornos alimentarios

Abstract

Objective: To know the risk of eating disorders (ED) and their precursor risk behaviours in both children and teenagers schooled in Benicàsim (Castellón). Methods: A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study will be carried out in order to assess the risk of eating disorders through the Children eating attitude test (ChEAT-26), from which questions were selected for measure weight self-assessment and body dissatisfaction. Risk behaviours will be analyzed using selected questions from the World Health Organization survey (diet section). By using anthropometry techniques, weight and height will be measured and therefore, body mass index (BMI). The sample involved 143 students ranging from the last course of primary education (6º) to the last course of upper secondary education (2ndbachillerato) in both private and public schools of Benicàsim. Results: We obtained a prevalence of risk of 4.9%. The highest risk was detected in 6º primary, 3º and 4º ESO. Significant differences between sexes can be seen as for the risk of ED (p=0, 0471). However, it should be pointed out the fact that the risk in males has increased considerably There seems to be a tendency to self-evaluate overweight, an excessive concern about gaining weight(41% of students) and also a frequent desire for being skinny (50% of students),which leads to a risk behaviour: pills consumption(3,5%), diet (25%) and excessive exercise(60%). Conclusions: We found a remarkable number of students at risk for eating disorders. With increased risk in males we consider the need to address the entire school population in future studies. There was a tendency to assess the weight higher than the real one, which did not coincide with BMI and led the students to adopt inappropriate and risky behaviors. Primary care professionals should be a fundamental pillar for the modification of these behaviors capable of preventing these and other disorders.