Risco de desenvolvimento de transtornos alimentares em estudantes de nutrição: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Eating disorders are characterized by inadequacies in eating behavior, body image distortion, and intense body dissatisfaction, impacting physical health and psychosocial well-being. Nutrition students, due to their continuous exposure to health and nutrition topics, along with pressure to meet aesthetic standards, are more vulnerable to developing obsessive behaviors and eating disorders. OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors for the development of eating disorders in nutrition students by investigating eating behavior, the incidence of these disorders, and the relation between body image and the emergence of eating disordes. METHODS: This is a bibliographic review study with data collected from secondary sources. The search was conducted on the Capes and Scielo portals. The descriptors "Eating disorders" and "Nutrition students" were used, and articles in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were included. RESULTS: A total of 1,422 articles were found, of which 9 were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies indicate that nutrition students are at high risk for eating disorders, particularly regarding body dissatisfaction and aesthetic pressure. DISCUSSION: Eating disorders among nutrition students represent a growing concern, resulting from a combination of aesthetic pressures, academic demands, and body dissatisfaction. Continuous exposure to knowledge about nutrition and body image can lead to distorted interpretations of health and obsessive behaviors. CONCLUSION: Nutrition students are highly vulnerable to eating disorders due to aesthetic and academic pressures, highlighting the need for interventions that promote mental and physical health.