Abstract
Background: Disordered Eating Behaviors (DEBs) mean the ongoing disruptions in eating behaviors, including dietary restrictions, emotional eating, self-induced vomiting, taking hunger pills, fasting, abusing laxatives and diuretics. These behaviors can result in fully diagnosable eating disorders. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of Disordered Eating Behaviors (DEBs) among female university students and to investigate the association between DEBs, age, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at King Edward Medical University, Lahore, involving 190 female participants aged between 18-25 years. Participants completed the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and provided demographic data, including height and weight. The EAT-26, a validated self-report instrument, was used to categorize participants into high-risk and low- groups for DEBs. Logistic regression and Chi-square tests were performed to explore associations between BMI, age, and DEBs. 2R esults: Among the 190 participants, the average age was 21.33 years, with an average BMI of 21.17 kg/m. Of the study population, 24.74% students reported having a score of 20 or above, which denotes a high risk of DEBs and 75.2% (n = 143) had a score of less than 20, indicating a low risk of DEBs. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between higher BMI categories and increased odds of DEBs (adjusted odds ratio = 1.883, p = 0.029). Age did not show positive relationship with DEBs. Conclusion: The study revealed a direct relation of BMI with DEBs among female college students i.e. the greater the BMI higher is the chance of developing an eating disorder. Age, however, was a less significant predictor. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions focusing on weight-related issues and promoting healthy body image to mitigate DEBs.