Analysis of the orthorectic behaviors and obesity prejudices of students in the faculty of health sciences

2. ABSTRACT ANALYSIS OF THE ORTHORECTIC BEHAVIORS AND OBESITY PREJUDICES OF STUDENTS IN THE FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES The obsession with healthy nutrition (orthorexia nervosa), which occurs as a result of restrictive nutrition, and prejudices against obesity resulting from overnutrition are public health problems. This study was conducted to examine orthorexic behaviors and factors affecting obesity bias in Fırat University Faculty of Health Sciences first and third year students. In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 556 out of 640 students were reached. Personal information form, ORTO-15 scale, GAMS-27 obesity bias scale were used as data collection tools. The data were processed into the statistical package program and Kolmogorov Smirnov, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation tests were performed in statistical analysis. 84.2% of the students included in the study are women and their Body Mass Index (BMI) average is 21.78 ± 3.23 kg / m². It was found that 11.3% of the students had orthoreectic tendencies. Orthorexic tendencies were found more in males and in nutrition and dietetics students (p <0.05). 16.7% of the students were found to be without prejudice against obese individuals, 61.0% were prone to prejudice and 22.3% were biased. GAMS-27 obesity bias scale scores were found to be higher in nursing students, those who stated their physical appearance as obese according to their own statements, and obese according to BMI classification compared to other groups, and they were more prone to bias towards obese individuals (p <0.05). While a significant positive correlation was found with ORTO-15 total score in all 3 sub-dimensions, no significant correlation was observed with GAMS-27 obesity bias scale. As a result, men show more orthorexic tendencies than women. The rate of prejudice and prejudice against obesity among students is high. In line with these results, multidisciplinary studies should be conducted to increase the awareness and consciousness level of students who are future healthcare professionals to reduce orthorexic attitudes and obesity biases. Keywords: Obesity Bias, Orthorexic Behaviors, Student