Physical Appearance Comparison on Social Media and Social Appearance Anxiety: Relationship with Eating Disorder Risk among Nutrition and Dietetics Students

Purpose: Nutrition and dietetics students are reported to be at higher risk for eating disorders than the general population. This study aims to determine the relationship between the comparison of physical appearance on social media and social appearance anxiety with the risk of eating disorders among nutrition and dietetics students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 nutrition and dietetics students (mean age: 22.6±4.7 years) using an online survey between January and March 2023 at a public university in Türkiye. The Social Media Physical Appearance Comparison Scale (SM-PACS) and the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) were administered. The risk of eating disorders was determined with the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported weight (kg) and height (cm). Results: Higher SM-PACS and SAAS scores were associated with higher odds of being at risk for disordered eating according to EAT-26 (p