Self-esteem and disturbed eating attitude in undergraduates of Karachi

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The objective of study was to see the relationship between self-esteem and disturbed  eating attitude among the undergraduates of Karachi.

STUDY DESIGN

Quantitative correlational survey design

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

The study was carried out in different universities of Karachi, Pakistan. From January to May 2018

SUBJECT AND METHOD

The research participants comprised of 200 male and 200 female students from different universities of Karachi, Pakistan. Their age ranged from 20 to 28 years (M=24.5 ± SD=3.81). Participants after verbal and written consent were asked to fill the demographic form, followed by Eating Attitude Test, and Rosenberg self-esteem scale.

RESULTS

For statistical purpose descriptive statistics, correlation and linear regression analysis were mainly applied which revealed a significant inverse relationship between self-esteem and disturbed eating attitude. Further self-esteem was also identified as a significant predictor of disturbed eating attitude among the undergrads of Karachi. With regards to the additional analysis of study female university students through t-Test were known to have more disturbed eating attitudes than male students.

CONCLUSION

Research findings cleared a significant inverse correlation between self-esteem and disturbed eating attitude. Further it also showed significant impact of self-esteem on disturbed attitude of eating among the undergrads of Karachi. Therefore for preventive step teaching institutions, health professionals and media should look for intervention programs that can target the students with low self-esteem and help them to improve their self-esteem in order to avert the growth of disturbed eating attitude.