Correlation of Physical Activity, Risk of Eating Disorder, and Body Composition in Young Female Students

Abstract

Introduction: Body composition, physical activity, and the risk of eating disorders play a specific role in shaping the health of young female students during their first year of university, a period in which they develop autonomy, self-regulation, social interaction, and learning skills. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between physical activity levels, body composition, and the risk of eating disorders among female students aged 19–21 years at the University of Banja Luka. Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological observational study included a representative sample of 408 healthy female students with a mean age of 20.5 years. Data were collected using a brief sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and the OMRON BF 511 digital medical device for body composition assessment.Results: The majority of participants (76.2%) were classified as highly physically active. Participants displayed ideal body composition parameters: BMI 22.1 ± 3.2, body fat percentage 31.80 ± 6.47%, and skeletal muscle percentage 28.15 ± 2.81%, while 16.7% of participants were at risk for eating disorders. Correlation analyses between EAT-26 subscales—Dieting, Bulimia, and Oral Control and total IPAQ physical activity scores showed no statistically significant associations. ROC analysis confirmed that BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat percentage are not reliable for detecting individuals at risk for eating disorders. Conclusion: Understanding the relationships between body composition components, eating disorders, and physical activity levels is essential for planning effective strategies to promote and prevent psycho-physical health issues and ensure the well-being of young female students. This requires ongoing evaluation and research into biopsychosocial factors.