Gokcen M¹ and Kose G² *

¹Nutrition and Dietetics, Istanbul Okan University, Turkey
²Nutrition and Dietetics, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Turkey

*Corresponding Author: Kose G, Nutrition and Dietetics, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Turkey.

Received: July 22, 2022; Published: August 04, 2022

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-compassion and body weight and eating disorders in adults. The study was carried out with 434 participants in Istanbul. Self-Compassion Scale Short Form, which determines the level of self-compassion, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Eating Attiude Test, which measures the risk of eating disorders were applied. Self-Compassion was higher in males than females (p < 0.001). While there was no significant relationship between body mass index and self-compassion in females (p > 0.05), a significant positive correlation was found between body weight and eating disorder risk. There was a significant negative correlation between self-compassion and the risk of restriction eating disorder (r = -0,133) in females. BMI increase seemed to be a risk for eating disorders in females (p < 0.001) but in males BMI had no correlations with EAT-26 and sub-scales scores (p > 0.05). In addition, eating disorders risk was significantly higher in women than men. Self-compassion level was evaluated according to the education level, as a result the self-compassion level whose education level was secondary school was higher than university level. In addition, a positive significant relationship was observed between age and dieting behavior (p = 0,102). In our study, according to gender, self-compassion, eating disorders was related and the risk of developing eating disorders increased as self-compassion decreased. Self-compassion can be a protective factor against the risk of obesity and eating disorders. Dietitians and mental health professionals can adopt a multidisciplinary approach to work in order to facilitate individuals' well-being.

Keywords: Self-Compassion; Body Weight; Eating Disorders; Eating Behavior; Eating Attitude

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Citation

Citation: Gokcen M and Kose G. “Gender Based Self-Compassion, Body Weight and Risk of Eating Disorders: How they are Linked?". Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 6.9 (2022): 09-15.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2022 Gokcen M and Kose G. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.