Risk of abnormal eating attitudes among Turkish dietetic students.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among Turkish dietetic students and the relations between nutrition education and eating attitudes. The study population was 568 female university students (248 dietetic students, 320 non-dietetic students). Two scales were used: Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and Bulimic Investigatory Test-Edinburg (BITE). Psychological factors were measured with the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE) and the State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The mean eating attitudes first scores, bulimic investigatory test scores, and Rosenberg self-esteem scores were similar in both groups. Only the STAI score was significantly higher in dietetic students than non-dietetic students. Skipping breakfast was significantly higher in non-dietetic students. Unhealthy weightloss methods were used more by the non-dietetic students than dietetic students. There were no significant effects of nutrition education on BMI and eating attitudes of the students.