Research Article
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The Effect of University Students' Body Image and Eating Behaviors on Food Choices

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 18 - 26, 30.04.2025

Haci Salih Çağman , Ayşenur Taşli , Meryem Akhan , Burcu Çakmak Sancar

Abstract

Body image perception and eating behavior disorders are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Social pressures and abnormal body image trigger negative food choices. It is known that these problems are especially common in adolescents and young adults. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of eating behavior disorders and body image perceptions among university students aged 18-24 years. In the study, the factors that university students with eating behavior disorders and abnormal body image perception pay attention to in their food choices were examined. Within the scope of the study, 7 hypotheses were established and Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), Body Image Questionnaire (BSQ) and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) scales were used to evaluate the hypotheses. After excluding participants who did not meet the age criteria and who gave incomplete or inconsistent answers to the survey questions, the questionnaires of 134 individuals were evaluated. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (KEKK-YEM) and Smart PLS 3 package program were used for reliability and validity analyses of the questionnaires and tests of the hypotheses. Significant results were obtained for 4 of the hypotheses (p<0.05). It was determined that the gender of university students had the highest effect on body image perception. In addition, it was determined that body image perception had an effect on eating behavior, gender had an effect on eating behavior and eating behavior had an effect on food choice. The results obtained support the literature.

Keywords

Body image Food choice Eating behavior Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)

References

  • Akdemir, A., Inandi, T., Akbas, D., Karaoglan-Kahilogullari, A., Eren, M. & Canpolat, B.I. (2012). Validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the body shape questionnaire among female high school students: preliminary examination. European eating disorders review. The Journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 20(1), 114-115.
  • Akdevelioğlu, Y. & Yörüsün, T.Ö. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yeme tutum ve davranışlarına ilişkin bazı faktörlerin incelenmesi. Gazi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 4(1), 19-28.
  • Amaral, A.C.S. & Ferreira M.E.C. (2017). Body dissatisfaction and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents: A longitudinal study. Body Image, 22, 32-38.
  • American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington American Psychiatric Association.
  • Baker, S., Maïano, C., Houle, S.A., Nadon, L., Aimé, A. & Morin, A.J.S. (2023) Profiles of body image concerns and their associations with disordered eating behaviors. Appetite, 191.
  • Birkenhead, K. & Slater, G. (2015). A review of factors influencing athletes' food choices. Sports Medicine, 45(11), 1511-1522.
  • Byrne, S. & McLean, N. (2001). Eating disorders in athletes: a review of the literature. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 4(2), 145-159.
  • Cabral, D., De Almeida, M.D.V. & Cunh, L.M. (2017). Food choice questionnaire in an African country–application and validation in Cape Verde. Food Quality and Preference, 62, 90-95.
  • Chin, W.W. (2010). How to write up and report PLS analyses. Esposito Vinzi, V., Chin, W.W., Henseler, J. & Wang H. (Eds.) İçinde: Handbook of Partial Least Squares Concepts. Methods and Applications, 655-690.
  • Chin, Y.S., Taib, M.N.M., Shariff, Z.M. & Khor, G.L. (2008). Development of multidimensional body image scale for Malaysian female adolescents. Nutrition Research and Practice, 2(2), 85–92.
  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Cooper, P.J., Taylor, M.J., Cooper, Z. & Fairbum, C.G. (1987). The development and validation of the body shape questionnaire. The International Journal of Eating Disorders. 6(4), 485-494.
  • Çil, M.A., Caferoğlu, Z. & Bilgiç, P. (2020). Üniversite öğrencilerinde diyet kalitesinin ve yeme davranışının antropometrik ölçümler ile ilişkisi. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 1, 61–67.
  • Dikmen, D., İnan-Eroğlu, E., Göktaş, Z., Barut-Uyar, B. & Karabulut, E. (2016). Validation of a Turkish version of the food choice questionnaire. Food Qual Preference, 52, 81-86.
  • Dorfman L. (2019). Egzersiz ve spor performansında beslenme. İçinde: Besin ve beslenme Bakım süreci, Akbulut, G., (Çeviri editörü), Food & the Nutrition Care Process, Mahan LK, Raymond JL. 14. Baskı. Ankara. Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri, 426-455.
  • Eisenberg, D., Nicklett, E.J., Roeder, K. & Kirz, N.E. (2011). Eating disorder symptoms among college students: Prevalence, persistence, correlates, and treatment-seeking. Journal of American College Health, 59(8), 700–707.
  • Fornell, C. & Larcker, D.F. (1981). Structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error: algebra and statistics. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(3), 328-388.
  • Garner, D.M., Olmsted, M.P., Bohr, Y. & Garfinkel, P.E. (1982). The eating attitudes test: psychometric features and clinical correlates. Psychological Medicine, 12(4), 871-878.
  • Giacone, L., Sob, C., Siegrist, M. & Hartmann, C. (2024). Intuitive eating and its influence on self-reported weight and eating behaviors. Eating Behaviors, 52.
  • Gillison, F.B., Lorenc, A.B., Sleddens, E.F., Williams, S.L. & Atkinson, L. (2016). Can it be harmful for parents to talk to their child about their weight? A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine, 93, 135–146.
  • Hair, J.F., Hult, G.T.M., Ringle, C. & Sarstedt, M. (2016). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.
  • Halliwell, E. (2015). Future directions for positive body image research. Body Image, 14, 177–189.
  • Henseler, J., Ringle, C.M. & Sinkovics, R.R. (2009). The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing. Sinkovics, R.R. & Ghauri, P.N. İçinde: New challenges to international marketing. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 277-319.
  • Honkanen, P. & Frewer, L. (2009). Russian consumers’ motives for food choice. Appetite, 52(2), 363-371.
  • Houshyari, S. & Kalkan, İ. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yeme tutumu, davranışları ve fiziksel aktivite düzeyinin değerlendirilmesi. Aydın Sağlık Dergisi, 5(2), 121-132.
  • Karataş, Y.F. & Müftüoğlu, S. (2021). Sağlık yüksekokulu öğrencilerinin yeme farkındalığı durumlarının değerlendirilmesi. Sağlık Bilimlerinde Eğitim Dergisi, 3(1), 24-33.
  • Kuseyri, G. & Kızıltan, G. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinde yeme farkındalığı ve sezgisel yeme davranışının beslenme durumu üzerine etkisi. Başkent Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 4(3), 202-219.
  • Milosevic, J., Zezelj, I., Gorton, M. & Barjolle, D. (2012). Understanding the motives for food choice in Western Balkan Countries. Appetite, 58(1), 205-214.
  • Mingoia, J., Hutchinson, A.D., Wilson, C. & Gleaves, D.H. (2017). The relationship between social networking site use and the internalization of a thin ideal in females: A meta-analytic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1351.
  • Murray, K., Rieger, E., Brown, P.M., Brichacek, A. & Walker, I. (2023). Body image explains differences in intuitive eating between men and women: Examining indirect effects across negative and positive body image. Body Image, 45, 369-381.
  • Nunnally, J.C. & Bernstein, I.H. (1994). Psychometric Theory. Mc Graw-Hill.
  • Okumuş, F.E.E. & Berk, H.Ö.S. (2020). Yeme tutum testi kısa formunun (EAT-26) bir üniversite örnekleminde psikometrik özellikleri. Psikoloji Çalışmaları, 40(1), 57-78.
  • Pelly, F.E., Burkhart, S.J. & Dunn, P. (2018). Factors influencing food choice of athletes at international competition events. Appetite, 121, 173-178.
  • Schneeweiss, H. (1991). Models with latent variables: LISREL versus PLS. Statistica Neerlandica, 45(2), 145– 157.
  • Smink, F.R.E., Van-Hoeken, D. & Hoek, H.W. (2012). Epidemiology of aating disorders: Incidence, prevalence and mortality rates. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14(4), 406-414.
  • Steptoe, A., Pollard, T.M. & Wardle, J. (1995). Development of a measure of the motives underlying the selection of food: the food choice questionnaire. Appetite, 25(3), 267-284.
  • Şanlier, N., Yabancı, N. & Alyakut, O. (2008). An evaluation of eating disorders among a group of Turkish university students. Appetite, 51(3), 641-645.
  • Tiggemann, M. (2011). Sociocultural perspectives on human appearance and body image. In: Cash, T.F. & Smolak, L. (Eds.), Body image, 12–19.
  • Tuğal, D. & Bilgiç, P. (2019). Evaluation of atheletes’ food choices in scope of their body image and eating behavior. Clinical Nutrition, 38(1), 137-138.
  • Varlık, Ö. & Arslan, M. (2023). X, Y, Z kuşaklarının besin seçimlerinin değerlendirilmesi ve beden kütle indeksi ile ilişkisinin incelenmesi. Arel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(2), 46-57.
  • Verstuyf, J., Vansteenkiste, M. & Soenens, B. (2012). Eating regulation and bulimic symptoms: The differential correlates of health-focused and appearance-focused eating regulation. Body Image, 9(1), 108–117.
  • Voelker, D.K., Gould, D. & Reel, J.J. (2014). Prevalence and correlates of disordered eating in female figure skaters. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 15(6), 696- 704.
  • Wansink, B. (2006). Mindless eating: why we eat more than we think. New York: Bantam Books, 276.
  • Wilson, G.T. (2010). Eating disorders, obesity and addiction. Eur Eat Dısord Review, 18, 341-351.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2015). Healthy Diet. WHO Fact Sheets.

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Beden İmajı ve Yeme Davranışlarının Besin Seçimleri Üzerindeki Etkisi

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 18 - 26, 30.04.2025

Haci Salih Çağman , Ayşenur Taşli , Meryem Akhan , Burcu Çakmak Sancar

Abstract

Beden imajı algısı ve yeme davranışı bozuklukları, genetik ve çevresel faktörlerin etkisiyle gelişir. Sosyal baskılar ve normal olmayan beden imajı, olumsuz besin seçimlerini tetikler. Bu sorunların özelikle adölesanlar ve genç yetişilenlerde yaygın olduğu bilinmektedir. Bu calışmada 18-24 yaş aralığındaki üniversite öğrencileri arasındaki yeme davranışı bozukluklarının varlığının ve beden imajı algılarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada yeme davranışı bozukluğu ve normal olmayan beden imajı algısı bulunan üniversite öğrencilerinin besin seçimlerinde dikkat ettikleri faktörler incelenmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında 7 adet hipotez kurulmuş ve hipotezleri değerlendirmek için Besin Seçimi Anketi (FCQ), Beden İmajı Anketi (BSQ) ve Yeme Tutum Testi (EAT-26) ölçekleri kullanılmıştır. Yaş kriterine uymayan ve anket sorularına eksik veya tutarsız yanıtlar veren katılımcılar elendikten sonra 134 bireyin anketi değerlendirilmeye alınmıştır. Anketlerin güvenilirlik ve geçerlilik analizleri ve oluşturulan hipotezlerin testleri için Kısmi En Küçük Kareler Yapısal Eşitlik Modeli (KEKK-YEM) ve Smart PLS 3 paket programı kullanılmıştır. Kurulan hipotezlerden 4’ü için anlamlı sonuçlar elde edilmiştir (p<0,05). En yüksek etkinin üniversite öğrencilerinin cinsiyetlerinin, beden imajı algısı üzerinde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca beden imajı algısının yeme davranışı üzerinde; cinsiyetin yeme davranışı üzerinde ve yeme davranışlarının besin seçimi üzerinde etkisi olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuçlar literatürü destekler niteliktedir.

Keywords

beden imajı besin seçimi yeme davranışı Kısmi en küçük kareler yapısal eşitlik modellemesi (KEKK-YEM)

References

  • Akdemir, A., Inandi, T., Akbas, D., Karaoglan-Kahilogullari, A., Eren, M. & Canpolat, B.I. (2012). Validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the body shape questionnaire among female high school students: preliminary examination. European eating disorders review. The Journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 20(1), 114-115.
  • Akdevelioğlu, Y. & Yörüsün, T.Ö. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yeme tutum ve davranışlarına ilişkin bazı faktörlerin incelenmesi. Gazi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 4(1), 19-28.
  • Amaral, A.C.S. & Ferreira M.E.C. (2017). Body dissatisfaction and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents: A longitudinal study. Body Image, 22, 32-38.
  • American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington American Psychiatric Association.
  • Baker, S., Maïano, C., Houle, S.A., Nadon, L., Aimé, A. & Morin, A.J.S. (2023) Profiles of body image concerns and their associations with disordered eating behaviors. Appetite, 191.
  • Birkenhead, K. & Slater, G. (2015). A review of factors influencing athletes' food choices. Sports Medicine, 45(11), 1511-1522.
  • Byrne, S. & McLean, N. (2001). Eating disorders in athletes: a review of the literature. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 4(2), 145-159.
  • Cabral, D., De Almeida, M.D.V. & Cunh, L.M. (2017). Food choice questionnaire in an African country–application and validation in Cape Verde. Food Quality and Preference, 62, 90-95.
  • Chin, W.W. (2010). How to write up and report PLS analyses. Esposito Vinzi, V., Chin, W.W., Henseler, J. & Wang H. (Eds.) İçinde: Handbook of Partial Least Squares Concepts. Methods and Applications, 655-690.
  • Chin, Y.S., Taib, M.N.M., Shariff, Z.M. & Khor, G.L. (2008). Development of multidimensional body image scale for Malaysian female adolescents. Nutrition Research and Practice, 2(2), 85–92.
  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Cooper, P.J., Taylor, M.J., Cooper, Z. & Fairbum, C.G. (1987). The development and validation of the body shape questionnaire. The International Journal of Eating Disorders. 6(4), 485-494.
  • Çil, M.A., Caferoğlu, Z. & Bilgiç, P. (2020). Üniversite öğrencilerinde diyet kalitesinin ve yeme davranışının antropometrik ölçümler ile ilişkisi. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 1, 61–67.
  • Dikmen, D., İnan-Eroğlu, E., Göktaş, Z., Barut-Uyar, B. & Karabulut, E. (2016). Validation of a Turkish version of the food choice questionnaire. Food Qual Preference, 52, 81-86.
  • Dorfman L. (2019). Egzersiz ve spor performansında beslenme. İçinde: Besin ve beslenme Bakım süreci, Akbulut, G., (Çeviri editörü), Food & the Nutrition Care Process, Mahan LK, Raymond JL. 14. Baskı. Ankara. Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri, 426-455.
  • Eisenberg, D., Nicklett, E.J., Roeder, K. & Kirz, N.E. (2011). Eating disorder symptoms among college students: Prevalence, persistence, correlates, and treatment-seeking. Journal of American College Health, 59(8), 700–707.
  • Fornell, C. & Larcker, D.F. (1981). Structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error: algebra and statistics. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(3), 328-388.
  • Garner, D.M., Olmsted, M.P., Bohr, Y. & Garfinkel, P.E. (1982). The eating attitudes test: psychometric features and clinical correlates. Psychological Medicine, 12(4), 871-878.
  • Giacone, L., Sob, C., Siegrist, M. & Hartmann, C. (2024). Intuitive eating and its influence on self-reported weight and eating behaviors. Eating Behaviors, 52.
  • Gillison, F.B., Lorenc, A.B., Sleddens, E.F., Williams, S.L. & Atkinson, L. (2016). Can it be harmful for parents to talk to their child about their weight? A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine, 93, 135–146.
  • Hair, J.F., Hult, G.T.M., Ringle, C. & Sarstedt, M. (2016). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.
  • Halliwell, E. (2015). Future directions for positive body image research. Body Image, 14, 177–189.
  • Henseler, J., Ringle, C.M. & Sinkovics, R.R. (2009). The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing. Sinkovics, R.R. & Ghauri, P.N. İçinde: New challenges to international marketing. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 277-319.
  • Honkanen, P. & Frewer, L. (2009). Russian consumers’ motives for food choice. Appetite, 52(2), 363-371.
  • Houshyari, S. & Kalkan, İ. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yeme tutumu, davranışları ve fiziksel aktivite düzeyinin değerlendirilmesi. Aydın Sağlık Dergisi, 5(2), 121-132.
  • Karataş, Y.F. & Müftüoğlu, S. (2021). Sağlık yüksekokulu öğrencilerinin yeme farkındalığı durumlarının değerlendirilmesi. Sağlık Bilimlerinde Eğitim Dergisi, 3(1), 24-33.
  • Kuseyri, G. & Kızıltan, G. (2019). Üniversite öğrencilerinde yeme farkındalığı ve sezgisel yeme davranışının beslenme durumu üzerine etkisi. Başkent Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 4(3), 202-219.
  • Milosevic, J., Zezelj, I., Gorton, M. & Barjolle, D. (2012). Understanding the motives for food choice in Western Balkan Countries. Appetite, 58(1), 205-214.
  • Mingoia, J., Hutchinson, A.D., Wilson, C. & Gleaves, D.H. (2017). The relationship between social networking site use and the internalization of a thin ideal in females: A meta-analytic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1351.
  • Murray, K., Rieger, E., Brown, P.M., Brichacek, A. & Walker, I. (2023). Body image explains differences in intuitive eating between men and women: Examining indirect effects across negative and positive body image. Body Image, 45, 369-381.
  • Nunnally, J.C. & Bernstein, I.H. (1994). Psychometric Theory. Mc Graw-Hill.
  • Okumuş, F.E.E. & Berk, H.Ö.S. (2020). Yeme tutum testi kısa formunun (EAT-26) bir üniversite örnekleminde psikometrik özellikleri. Psikoloji Çalışmaları, 40(1), 57-78.
  • Pelly, F.E., Burkhart, S.J. & Dunn, P. (2018). Factors influencing food choice of athletes at international competition events. Appetite, 121, 173-178.
  • Schneeweiss, H. (1991). Models with latent variables: LISREL versus PLS. Statistica Neerlandica, 45(2), 145– 157.
  • Smink, F.R.E., Van-Hoeken, D. & Hoek, H.W. (2012). Epidemiology of aating disorders: Incidence, prevalence and mortality rates. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14(4), 406-414.
  • Steptoe, A., Pollard, T.M. & Wardle, J. (1995). Development of a measure of the motives underlying the selection of food: the food choice questionnaire. Appetite, 25(3), 267-284.
  • Şanlier, N., Yabancı, N. & Alyakut, O. (2008). An evaluation of eating disorders among a group of Turkish university students. Appetite, 51(3), 641-645.
  • Tiggemann, M. (2011). Sociocultural perspectives on human appearance and body image. In: Cash, T.F. & Smolak, L. (Eds.), Body image, 12–19.
  • Tuğal, D. & Bilgiç, P. (2019). Evaluation of atheletes’ food choices in scope of their body image and eating behavior. Clinical Nutrition, 38(1), 137-138.
  • Varlık, Ö. & Arslan, M. (2023). X, Y, Z kuşaklarının besin seçimlerinin değerlendirilmesi ve beden kütle indeksi ile ilişkisinin incelenmesi. Arel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(2), 46-57.
  • Verstuyf, J., Vansteenkiste, M. & Soenens, B. (2012). Eating regulation and bulimic symptoms: The differential correlates of health-focused and appearance-focused eating regulation. Body Image, 9(1), 108–117.
  • Voelker, D.K., Gould, D. & Reel, J.J. (2014). Prevalence and correlates of disordered eating in female figure skaters. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 15(6), 696- 704.
  • Wansink, B. (2006). Mindless eating: why we eat more than we think. New York: Bantam Books, 276.
  • Wilson, G.T. (2010). Eating disorders, obesity and addiction. Eur Eat Dısord Review, 18, 341-351.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2015). Healthy Diet. WHO Fact Sheets.
There are 44 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Haci Salih Çağman 0009-0002-9526-9936

Ayşenur Taşli 0000-0001-6122-7119

Meryem Akhan 0000-0001-8065-8635

Burcu Çakmak Sancar 0000-0002-0737-7009

Publication Date April 30, 2025
Submission Date October 31, 2024
Acceptance Date February 16, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025Volume: 10 Issue: 1

Cite

Vancouver Çağman HS, Taşli A, Akhan M, Çakmak Sancar B. The Effect of University Students’ Body Image and Eating Behaviors on Food Choices. J Cumhuriyet Univ Health Sci Inst. 2025;10(1):18-26.
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The Journal of Sivas Cumhuriyet University Institute of Health Sciences is an international, peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Institute of Health Sciences.