Factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence rates of abnormal eating attitudes and associated risk factors among female Japanese college students.


METHODS
The study population was 7812 female college students in Tokyo. They were asked to fill out the Japanese version of EAT-26 and lifestyle questionnaires.


RESULTS
5.1% of the subjects had a total EAT-26 score above the cutoff point (>20). Multiple regression analysis found the most important factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes were distorted body image, fewer sleeping hours, irregular meal habits, cigarette smoking and more exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in this study was lower than that of Japanese female high school students and lower than that reported for college students of both western and non-western countries. Our results suggest that body image dissatisfaction may be the most important factor associated with abnormal eating behavior.
Makino
M
M
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
Hashizume
M
M
Yasushi
M
M
Tsuboi
K
K
Dennerstein
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health