OBJECTIVE: To characterize risky eating habits and factors related to eating disorders among nutrition students in the city of Rio de Janeiro METHODS: Sectional study with a segment of the population pointed out in literature as being at risk of developing eating disorders. The Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh (BITE) questionnaire, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) questionnaire and a variable which considers the two related tools (Nunes et al, 2001) were used. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-three female students were studied, being 20.9 years old on the average ± 2 years. A positive result of 14% (IC 95%: 9.4%-20%) in the EAT-26 was observed. In the BITE advanced symptoms and scores in the serious range were found in 5.7% (IC 95%: 2.9%-10%) and 3.2% (IC 95%: 1.2%-6.9%), respectively. When positive EAT-26 results were combined with serious range BITE scores and advanced symptoms, positive correlations were found in 64.7% (p < 0.001) and 36.4% (p < 0.001), respectively. Of the women who showed positive EAT-26, 88.5% were within the normal range of the body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: One must pay close attention to the tendencies towards eating disorders in the group, since these disorders will be a focus of their professional practice, which could compromise their work in the cases where nutritionists already present syndromes or tendencies towards disorders.
eating disorders; university students; psychiatry; mental health
