Riesgo de trastorno del comportamiento alimentario (TCA) en estudiantes de medicina en Colombia

Resumen

Introducción

Un número importante de estudiantes de medicina se encuentra en riesgo de trastorno del comportamiento alimentario (RTCA). Sin embargo, en estudiantes colombianos es limitada la investigación de las variables asociadas.

Objetivo

Calcular la prevalencia y las variables demográficas y psicosociales asociadas al RTCA en estudiantes de medicina de una universidad de Bogotá, Colombia.

Metodología

Estudio transversal. Se cuantificaron variables demográficas, rendimiento académico, nivel de actividad fisica, consumo diario de cigarrillo, consumo problemático de alcohol, salud personal y estrés percibido. Se usó el cuestionario SCOFF para cuantificar el RTCA. Mediante regresión logística se ajustaron las variables asociadas.

Resultados

Participaron 289 estudiantes, con media para la edad de 21,7 años (DE = 2,8), 63,7% mujeres. Se observó que 82 estudiantes (28,4%) informaron rendimiento académico insatisfactorio; 35 (12,1%), alto nivel de actividad física; 39 (13,5%), consumo diario de cigarrillo; 86 (29,8%), consumo problemático de alcohol; 47 (16,3%), mala salud personal; 23 (8,0%), alto estrés percibido; y 59 (20,4% IC95% 15,8-25,0), RTCA. Alto estrés percibido (OR = 5,58; IC95% 2,08-14,95), sexo femenino (OR = 2,83; IC95% 1,35-5,95) y consumo problemático de alcohol (OR = 2,18; IC95% 1,10-4,11) se asociaron a RTCA, después de ajustar por salud personal.

Conclusiones

Aproximadamente uno de cada cinco estudiantes de medicina de una universidad privada en Bogotá, Colombia, muestran RTCA. El alto estrés percibido, sexo femenino y consumo problemático de alcohol se asocian significativamente a RTCA. Se necesitan más investigaciones.

Abstract

Introduction

An important number of medical students are at Risk of suffering an Eating Behavior Disorder (REBD). However, research has been limited regarding associated variables in Colombian students.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence and related demographic and psychosocial variables associated to the REBD among medicine students in a university of Bogota, Colombia.

Methodology

Transversal study. Demographic variables, academic performance, level of physical activity, daily cigarette smoking, and abuse of alcohol, personal health and observed stress were quantified. The SCOFF questionnaire was used to quantify REBD. Logistic regression was applied to adjust the associations.

Results

289 students participated with an average age of 21.7 years (SD = 2.8), 63.7% were female students. It was observed that 82 students (28.4%) reported unsuccessful academic performance; 35 of them (12.1%), showed high level of physical activity; 39 (13.5%), reported daily cigarette smoking; 86 (29.8%), abused alcohol; 47 (16.3%), showed poor personal health; 23 (8.0%) high stress level observed; and 59 (20.4% 95% CI 15.8-25.0), REBD. High stress level observed (OR = 5.58; 95% CI 2.08-14.95), female (OR = 2.83; 95% CI 1.35-5.95) and alcohol abuse (OR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.10-4.11) were associated to REBD, after adjusting concerning personal health.

Conclusions

Approximately one out of five medical students reports REBD in a private university of Bogota, Colombia reported REBD. High levels of stress observed, female gender and alcohol abuse are associated to REBD. Further research is necessary.