Frecuencia de Trastorno de la Conducta Alimentaria en estudiantes de la carrera de Nutrición y Dietética de la Universidad de Cuenca durante el periodo 2025

Abstract

Eating disorders (EDs) are psychological disturbances that entail serious consequences for both physical and mental health, particularly among adolescents and young adults. In Ecuador, an increase in the prevalence of these disorders has been observed, making the timely identification of individuals at risk essential for prevention and early intervention. In this context, the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is an internationally validated instrument used to detect risky eating behaviors. Its application in university populations allows the identification of concerning patterns at early stages. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of eating disorders among students enrolled in the Nutrition and Dietetics program at the University of Cuenca in 2025. A quantitative, descriptive, and observational study was conducted involving a population of 89 students from the Nutrition and Dietetics program. The EAT-26 scale was used to assess the risk of developing an eating disorder. The results showed that 55.2% of the evaluated students were at risk of an eating disorder. Regarding year of study, 61.5% of first-year students were at risk, followed by 53.8% of third-year students. Students with a history of psychiatric disorders showed a higher proportion of risk (62.5%) compared to those without such a history (50.9%). A greater proportion of risk was observed among women and among those reporting psychiatric antecedents, suggesting the presence of predisposing factors that may be acting simultaneously.