Eating behaviours and body shape concerns in first year university students

The aim of this study was to investigate the eating behaviours and body shape concerns of undergraduate university students. It was anticipated the results would provide an indication of the prevalence of anorexia and bulimia and determine the degree to which university students exhibit behavioural and attitudinal characteristics of the clinical disorders. Questionnaires were posted to 1367 first year university students, of which 511 were returned (37 percent response rate). The survey contained questions pertaining to demographic data and included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). The EAT is a 40-item, self-report questionnaire which evaluates behaviours and attitudes symptomatic of anorexia nervosa. A total score of 30 or greater indicates a predicted case of clinical anorexia.