Weight concerns and eating patterns: a survey of university students in Europe

Abstract

Objective: To assess a wide range of health-related behaviours, beliefs and knowledge in educated young adults.

Design: A standardized questionnaire was developed, translated, and administered in university classes.

Subjects: 16,486 university students in 21 European countries.

Dependent variables: Reported and self-perceived body size, eating practices and weight concerns.

Results: Body Mass Index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)2) was slightly different between countries, and rather low overall (20.5 in women and 22.0 in men). These low values can be attributed to the young age of respondents (21.4 years) and to their presumably high socio-economic status. Very few were overweight (8%) and less than 1% were obese. In spite of the low BMI, many perceived themselves as overweight, especially among women. Trying to lose weight (44% of women, 17% of men) and dieting (14% in women and 3% in men) were not uncommon, although large differences existed between countries. Dieting affected snack and meal patterns: dieters reported fewer snacks and female dieters also reported fewer meals than non-dieters. Breakfast was skipped by almost twice as many dieters as non-dieters. Some evidence of anorexia nervosa (dieting in very underweight individuals) appeared.

Conclusion: The data suggest excessive responses to weight loss pressures and imperfect translation of nutritional advice into behaviours.