Determination of the relationship between obesity prejudice status and eating behaviors of faculty of health sciences students

Background People living with obesity receive treatment services from health professionals for their weight or other health needs. In order for the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences, who will be a member of the health team in the future, to raise awareness of the society, it is necessary to first determine their obesity prejudices and eating habits. Methods The study is a cross-sectional and descriptive research. The study data were collected from 406 students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences by online questionnaire method using a personal characteristics identification form, GAMS 27-Obesity Bias Scale and University Students Eating Behavior Scale (USEBS). The data were analyzed with SPSS 26 statistical software. Results In this study, all students were found to be prone to prejudice according to the mean total score of the Obesity Bias Scale and Obesity Bias Scale was higher in female students studying in perfusion department. In the sub-dimensions of the University Students Eating Behavior Scale, the enjoyment of food score was found to have the highest mean score. Conclusion According to the results of the study, there is a need to develop educational planning that will both increase the awareness of university students about the relationship between eating behaviors and obesity and eliminate obesity prejudice tendencies due to the fact that they are educated to provide services in the field of health. Highlights • It was determined that students were prone to prejudice against individuals with obesity. • It was found that the satiety sensitivity sub-dimension score of the students studying in the nutrition department was high. • The mean Obesity Bias Scale score of the students studying in the perfusion department was found to be high. • There was a negative relationship between age and food sensitivity, eating pleasure, emotional overnutrition, hunger and obesity bias, and a positive relationship between satiety sensitivity.