Examining the eating attitudes of overweight and obese individuals
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to determine the eating attitudes of overweight and obese individuals and to investigate whether eating attitudes differ by age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between June 2019 and October 2024 with 111 participants who applied to a private clinic in Ankara. Individuals with a BMI of 25 or above were included in the study. Data were collected using a survey method through face-to-face interviews with the participants. Eating attitudes were measured using the Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40), developed by Garner and Garfinkel and adapted into Turkish by Savaşır and Erol. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test were used for data analysis, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
Results: The participants' mean age was 37.08±9.77 years, and 77.5% (n=86) were women. Among the participants, 65.8% (n=73) were classified as obese, and 34.2% (n=38) as overweight. A history of dieting was found in 79.3% (n=88) of the participants, 29.7% (n=33) reported binge eating, 9% (n=10) had bulimia nervosa, and 33.3% (n=37) engaged in regular exercise. Additionally, 23.4% (n=26) had comorbidities, with polycystic ovary syndrome and hyperlipidemia being the most common (17.1%; n=6). Childhood was identified as the most frequent onset period for obesity (33.3%; n=37). The mean EAT-40 score was 24.3±12.7.
Conclusion: According to EAT-40 results, 73% of the participants were found to be at risk of disordered eating behaviors. No statistically significant differences were found in eating attitudes across age, gender, or BMI groups (p>0.05). It is recommended that individual treatments and interventions for obesity adopt a broader perspective, addressing not only metabolic factors but also disordered eating patterns. Furthermore, the high risk of eating disorders highlights the importance of targeted and preventive interventions for obese individuals.
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