Abstract
Background. The prevalence of disordered eating (DE) patterns is significantly higher among college-aged students and health-related majors. This study explored associations between DE behaviors and psychosocial risk factors, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), food insecurity, weight stigma, fat phobia, and family ‘fat talk’, among health science students at a large, rural U.S university, using an anonymous online survey.
Method. An anonymous online survey was distributed to a randomly selected, cross-sectional sample of 3,000 health science students. Participant responses (n = 550; 18.3% response rate) were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression.
Results. The sample was 75.4% female, 88% White, and 24.4% first-generation students. Statistically significant positive correlations (p< .01) were observed between DE and adult food insecurity (r = .25), ACEs (r = .28), child food insecurity (r = .19), and eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (r = .74). Significant negative correlations emerged between DE and family “fat talk” (r = –.22), weight stigma (r = –.21), and fat phobia (r = –.24; r = –.13). Regression analyses showed that being a graduate student and having risk factors for anorexia and bulimia nervosa were positively associated with DE (p < .01), while external weight stigma was negatively associated (p < .01).
Conclusion. DE behaviors are prevalent and associated with psychosocial risk factors among health science students. Interventions promoting weight-neutral, stigma-free health education may support healthier eating behaviors in this population.
Recommended Citation
Walker, A., Roy, M., Warnock, J., Prater, K., Farris, A., & Nunnery, D. (2026). Exploring Psychosocial Risk Factors for Disordered Eating Among Future Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Appalachian Student Healthcare Research Review, 1(1). Retrieved from https://mds.marshall.edu/ashrr/vol1/iss1/6