Comparative study of attitudes to eating between male and female students in the People's Republic of China

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare eating attitudes and lifestyles of male and female college students in China (Beijing). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects of this study consisted of 217 male and 177 female college students. They were asked to fill out the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and a lifestyle questionnaire. RESULTS: The percentages of those above the cutoff point on the EAT-26 for abnormal eating attitudes were 4.7% of male and 6.2% of female students. Body perception of being fat (distorted body image) was the factor most associated with abnormal eating attitudes. DISCUSSION: Weight related concern was prevalent amongst the Chinese students. This suggests that the..