[Prevalence of eating disorders in college students and associated factors: uniHcos project].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: eating disorders (ED) are particularly common in young people. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of eating disorders in college students and its associated factors. METHODS: Study of prevalence in young Spanish university uniHcos project. Using unconditional logistic regression have determined the magnitude of the association between the risk factors associated with lifestyle and ED measured by questionnaire Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food (SCOFF). RESULTS: The prevalence of ED was 19.5%, being higher in women (ORa=1.59; p=0.006). In boys, have criteria of developing an eating disorder was associated with living in halls of residence, "binge drinking" and problematic Internet use. In women studying different courses at Health Sciences (ORa=1.50) and problematic Internet use (ORa=2.33). Those women at risk of ED more frequently had depression (ORa=2.02), menstrual pains (ORa=1.81) and perceived poor health (ORa=1.70). In men, those at risk for eating disorders more frequently had poor perceived health (ORa=2.42). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of a positive outcome in the scoff in our study is similar to that reported for other populations of students as well as their association with certain health problems and addictions. By gender differences that need attention in the design of prevention and control strategies were observed.