| Abstract [eng] |
Research validity. Eating habits are formed during childhood and often persist into adulthood, gradually influencing food choices and eating behaviour within society. Epidemiological studies confirm that the risk of eating disorders among young individuals is continuously increasing. Eating disorders most commonly emerge during late adolescence, and the period of university studies represents one of the critical stages for their development. The aim of the research – to evaluate the prevalence of eating disorders among Vilnius University students and to investigate their knowledge and opinions regarding eating disorders. Research ojectives: 1. To determine the prevalence of eating disorders and the factors associated with them among students. 2. To assess students’ knowledge and sources of information about eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, and vomiting associated with other psychological disorders). 3. To investigate students’ opinions and attitudes towards eating disorders. Methodology. A quantitative research method was selected for the study. An online survey was distributed through social media among students from one selected Lithuanian higher education institution (October 2025 – March 2026). Data from 382 students were deemed suitable for analysis. Data processing and descriptive statistical analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics software. Results and conclusions of the study. Overall, 19,9% of students were classified as belonging to an increased risk group for eating disorders. The factors most commonly associated with eating disorders were body dissatisfaction (78,3%) and the internalisation of the societal “thin ideal” (78,0%), both of which were reported more frequently by women than by men. The primary source of information about eating disorders among students was social media (76,4%). Younger students (18-20 years old) and women more frequently used social media as an information source. Students in the exact sciences more often indicated that they had not encountered information about eating disorders, while men were four times more likely than women to report having no information on the topic. Women evaluated their knowledge as “good” and “very good,” whereas men more often rated their knowledge as “poor” or “average.” Students not classified as being at increased risk for eating disorders more frequently rated their knowledge as “average” or “good,” while students in the increased-risk group more often assessed their knowledge as “very good.” Women more frequently than men perceived eating disorders as a serious mental and behavioural health problem, more often acknowledged the influence of social media on body image, and believed that eating disorders are more common among women and students. Students belonging to the higher-risk eating disorder group more frequently perceived eating disorders as a non-serious mental and behavioural health problem and associated seeking help from healthcare professionals with a sign of weakness. Keywords: students, eating disorders, prevalence, knowledge, opinions. |
