Abstract
Introduction: The concept of body image is defined as the subjective image about the forms and characteristics of the body itself, which integrates physical, mental, and emotional levels about this perception. Excessive concern with weight and body shape and the divinization of exaggerated thinness can lead to eating disorders, which are characterized as psychiatric diseases defined by changes in eating behavior, which mainly affects women, being a source of physical and psychological damage. One of the most common disorders is anorexia nervosa (AN). Objective: To analyze the body perception and anorexic behavior of students at a medical school in the interior of São Paulo. Methods: This is an observational, qualitative study to assess the body perception and anorexic behavior of university students at a medical school in the city of Catanduva-SP. The sample consisted of 141 students. To assess the perception of body image, the Kakeshita silhouette scale, and a visual analog scale were used. For the evaluation of the subjective component of the body image, a virtual questionnaire was applied by Google Forms on the evaluated components. The assessment of nutritional status considered the classification of the body mass index and the EAT-26 test. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon non-parametric test was used. Results: The students had an average age of 21.34 years ± 2.2 and an average height of 1.64 meters. The average of the real Body Mass Index (BMI) was 22.08 Kg/m², the perception of BMI was 26.40 Kg/m² and the desired BMI was 22.93 Kg/m², the last two being different statistically from the first. As for EAT-26, 73 students obtained a score greater than or equal to 21, which is considered a risky behavior for the development of AN. Conclusion: Most students have an altered perception of their body image since the perception of BMI is higher than the real BMI. In addition, it was noted, from the positive EAT-26, the existence of a high-risk behavior index for anorexia nervosa in the women in the sample. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the causes of the divergence between reality and looking at oneself in order to prevent such changes from becoming eating disorders.