The relationship between social appearance anxiety and eating attitude and body weight in Aydin Adnan Menderes University students

Introduction: During the university years, which is the transition period from adolescence to adulthood, the use of social media and mass media is increasing. Dissatisfaction and anxiety may arise as individuals become more interested in their bodies. Changes in body weight can be seen with the effect of eating attitude disorders and social anxiety. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between social appearance anxiety and eating attitude and body weight in Aydın Adnan Menderes University students. Materials and Methods: Our cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in all faculties in the central campus of Aydın Adnan Menderes University between 01.11.2022 - 31.12.2022. The sample size of the study was calculated as 370 people in the population of all faculties (16,287 students) in the central campus of Aydın Adnan Menderes University. A questionnaire including some sociodemographic information, Social Appearance Anxiety Scale and Eating Attitude Test-26 was administered by face-to-face method. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS 25.0 statistical program. In addition to descriptive statistics, paired tests (Chi-square test, T test, Anova test, Tukey test) were used to determine the relationship between eating attitude, social appearance anxiety and some sociodemographic factors and body weight. Results: The mean age of the 370 students who participated in our study was 21.5±1.8 years and 64.9% were female. The body mass index of males (23.8±3.4 kg/m²) was significantly higher than that of females (21.3±3.1 kg/m²) (p<0.001). The body mass index of students living alone or with friends at home was significantly higher than those living in dormitories (p=0.009). Considering the cut-off point (20 points) of the eating attitude test, 19.7% (p=73) of the students were considered to have a disordered eating attitude. Females (22.9%) had more disordered eating attitudes than males (13.8%) (p=0.036). Social appearance anxiety of the students was at a moderate level. Social appearance anxiety and eating attitude disorders were not related to body weight. Body mass index was significantly higher in students who smoked and drank alcohol (p=0.031). When the social anxiety of the students participating in the study was evaluated according to their sociodemographic characteristics, a significant difference was found between age, father's education level and alcohol use variables and social anxiety score. Conclusion: According to our study results, the rate of eating attitude disorder in university students is quite high. Students have moderate level of social appearance anxiety. There was no relationship between social appearance anxiety and body weight. The eating attitude disorder rate of overweight students was higher than that of normal weight students. Social appearance anxiety is higher in students who are in their last years of university education, whose fathers have low educational level and who use alcohol.