Factor Structure of Eating Behavior Dimensions and Their Links to Subclinical Anxiety and Depression in Senior High School Students

Introduction. Eating behavior in high school students is a multidimensional phenomenon sensitive to psy­chological and emotional states. The relevance of the study is driven by the need to identify latent structures of eating behavior and their association with subclinical anxiety and depression.

Objective. To determine the factor structure of eating behavior dimensions in senior high school students and to assess its relationship with manifestations of anxiety and depression.

Materials and Methods. A total of 116 11th grade students (17±0.4 years; 67.2% females) were examined. The EDI subscales were used (factor analysis, principal com­ponent method) along with the HADS scale (Pearson correlation analysis).

Results. Two latent factors were identified: “fixation on body image” (interoceptive deficits, bulimia, drive for thinness, perfectionism) and “de­tached self-perception” (interpersonal distrust, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness). Elevated anxiety levels were found in 40.5% of students. The strongest correlations were observed between anxiety and components of the first factor (r=0.439-0.449; p<0.001), as well as with depression (r=0.3220.323; p<0.001).

Conclusions. Eating behavior in high school students has a two-factor structure. The fixation on body image is a factor most closely associated with subclinical anxiety and depressive states.

Conclusion. The identified eating be­havior patterns may serve as early markers of psychological and emotional distress and should be considered when developing preventive interventions in school settings.

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