EJPAU 2016. Łagowska K. ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNG WOMEN PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO EATING DISORDERS

Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.

2016
Volume 19
Issue 1

Topic:

Food Science and Technology

ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES

Łagowska K. 2016. ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNG WOMEN PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO EATING DISORDERS, EJPAU 19(1), #09.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume19/issue1/abs-09.html

ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNG WOMEN PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO EATING DISORDERS

Karolina Łagowska
Dietetic Division, Department of Human Nutrition and Hygiene, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland

ABSTRACT

Abnormal eating habits are very frequent among ballet dancers and female athletes.
Recent studies have suggested that students of dietetics also fall into this
group.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the eating behavior and nutritional habits
of young ballet dancers, athletes, and students of dietetics – all classes
of women considered to have a specific risk of developing an eating disorder.

31 well-trained female athletes (18.1 ± 2.6 y) from various sports
clubs in Poznań, 21 ballet dancers (17.4 ± 0.9 y), and 30 students
(20.5 ± 2.4 y) from Poznań University of Life Sciences completed
the study. The nutritional status of the participants was evaluated by analyzing
body composition using the BIA method (adipose tissue percentage (FM%, kg) and
fat-free mass (FFM%, kg). Moreover, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ),
the Youth Healthy Eating Index (YHEI), and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
were employed to describe eating behavior. Energy balance and energy availability
were also assessed.

Significant differences were observed between the groups. The group of ballet
dancers had the lowest body weight, BMI, and FM%. Compared to athletes and dietetics
students, this group also scored the highest on the TFEQ and had the most negative
energy balance, the lowest energy consumption, and the lowest YHEI score. The
FFQ questionnaire results indicate that students of dietetics prefer high nutritional
value products.

Improved knowledge of the impact of nutrition on health can
affect our daily diet. The results presented in this paper, unlike those of other
authors, do not unequivocally indicate that students of dietetics have an increased
risk of developing an eating disorder.

Key words: dietary behaviour, ballet dancers, students, female athletes.

Karolina Łagowska
Dietetic Division, Department of Human Nutrition and Hygiene, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
phone +48 61 848 7334
ul. Wojska Polskiego 31
60-624 Poznań
Poland
email: karolina@up.poznan.pl

Responses to this article, comments are invited and should be submitted within three months of the publication of the article. If accepted for publication, they will be published in the chapter headed 'Discussions' and hyperlinked to the article.