More than one in three Italian university students screened positive for eating disorder risk, with the strongest independent associations found for clinically relevant depressive symptoms, poor/fair self-rated health, and obesity.
Overall, 34.6% of Italian university students screened positive for eating disorder risk using the SCOFF questionnaire.
Clinically relevant depressive symptoms showed the strongest independent association with eating disorder risk.
Poor or fair self-rated health was independently associated with eating disorder risk.
Obesity was independently associated with increased likelihood of eating disorder risk.
Risky alcohol use was independently associated with eating disorder risk.
Smoking and use of food delivery apps and food waste apps were each independently associated with eating disorder risk.
The study examined adherence to the Mediterranean diet as a potential correlate of eating disorder risk.
This research suggests that eating disorders are a major concern among Italian university students, with more than one in three students (34.6%) screening positive for eating disorder risk. Women were nearly twice as likely as men to screen positive (39.5% vs. 21.8%). The study surveyed nearly 2,700 students and looked at a wide range of factors including mental health, body weight, lifestyle habits, and use of digital food apps. The strongest risk factors identified were depression and poor self-perceived health. Students with significant depressive symptoms were over three times more likely to screen positive for eating disorder risk, and those who rated their own health as poor or fair were about two and a half times more likely. Being obese or overweight, engaging in risky alcohol use, smoking, and using food delivery or food waste apps were also independently linked to higher eating disorder risk. These associations held even after accounting for age, education, and sex. This research suggests that universities may need to implement early screening programs for eating disorders, particularly targeting students who also show signs of depression or poor mental health. The findings point to the importance of integrated approaches that address both mental health and nutrition together, rather than treating them separately. The novel finding that digital food app use is linked to eating disorder risk also highlights a potentially new area for investigation as technology increasingly shapes how young people relate to food.
Pennisi F, Pinto A, Nucci D, Stacchini L, Garzitto M, Veronese N, et al.. (2026). Eating Disorder Risk and Its Biobehavioural Correlates in Italian University Students: The UniFoodWaste Study.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18101588