Self-assessed Eating Behaviours: Psychosocial Factors and Correlates with Quality of Life in the Romanian Population

Cristina Faludi , Babes-Bolyai University
Mihaela Elvira Cimpianu, 1 Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Ha?ieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sergiu Ionica Rusu, Romanian Institute for Evaluation and Strategies, Cluj-Napoca

Background: Abnormal eating behaviours leading to eating disorders, negatively affect the quality of life and the health status of individuals. The increase in youth obesity worldwide was accelerated during COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of psychosocial factors, quality of life dimensions, socio-emotional loneliness and adverse life antecedents on different eating behaviours. Methods: This study had a cross-sectional quantitative research design, using the CATI method. A nationally representative sample of 1102 individuals was investigated in 2021. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics of participants, health related variables, quality of life dimensions, a socio-emotional loneliness scale and an inventory of adverse life antecedents. Descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as multivariate models were applied for data analysis. Results: 27% of respondents reported a mix of overeating and undereating episodes; 18% had only episodes of overeating; 20% only episodes of undereating, and 35% did not have abnormal eating habits. Overeating was positively correlated, while undereating negatively correlated with income and wealth. The mixture of abnormal eating habits negatively correlated with family relationships, nutrition and social relationships. Oscillating eating behaviours positively correlated with most of adverse life antecedents (deception, self-harm, abuse, depression and trauma) and socio-emotional loneliness. Logistic regression results showed that young people were more likely to adopt mixed abnormal eating habits, while people with lower education were more prone to undereating. Conclusions: These results have important implications for policy-makers, by providing an evidence-based foundation for the programs aiming to promote healthy eating habits for population.

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 Presented in Session 78. Nutrition and Metabolism Disorders