European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Eating behavior has become an important factor in determining nutritional health status of anindividual as many individuals particularly youths tend to develop eating disorder behavior.
Objective: To assesseating behavior and its association between socio-demographics and psychological factor among the age group of 18-25 years.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of Sharda university. Total students of 158 participated in the age group ranging from 18-25 years. The study participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used which included three sections, the first section comprising questions of socio-demographics, the second part consisted of the eating habits, attitudes, lifestyle and the third part consisted the psychological factors of eating behavior. 
Results: The mean age and standard deviation of the participants for group 18-20 years was 19.25(±0.74), for age group 21-22 the mean age was 21.63(±0.48) and for the age group 23-25 the mean age was 23.73(± 0.77). Majority of the respondent were females (85.9%), most of the participants belong to middle social class (53.16%) and they are mostly involved in moderate level of physical activity (59.49%). Maximum participants do not consume breakfast and meal regularly (60.74% and 63.92% respectively) and they are involved in constant snacking three or more times a day (60.74%). 61.39% participants worried about being fat and 42.4% are not satisfied with their current weight. Eating attitude score was found to be significantly high among the low socio-economic group (56.25%). BMI was significantly correlated with the dietary behaviour and eating attitude at (p<0.05) and (p<0.01).
Conclusion: The incidence of disordered eating behaviour was seen highest among the low socio-economic status. The present study showed that BMI and weight concern were associated with the eating behaviour. BMI was also found to be significantly associated with restraint eating among the study participants