Physical activity, eating attitude and body mass index (BMI) in students of sports sciences: differences and correlations

Introduction: The literature indicates that, during young adulthood, body mass index (BMI), physical activity levels, and eating attitudes are closely interrelated. Objective: This study aims to examine the relationships between physical activity, eating attitudes and BMI among university students. Methodology: The study was conducted with 296 university students. The data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form(IPAQ-SF), and Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). N and percentage values, Median (minimum–maximum), Kruskal–Wallis H test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Spearman’s rank correlation were used in the analysis of the research data. Results: It was found that the BMI values of male students were higher than those of females (U=5285; p < 0.001), and that students over the age of 25 had higher BMI values compared to other age groups (H=10.984; p<0.01). The EAT scores of Recreation Department students were higher than those of Sports Management and Coaching Education students (H=13.116; p<0.01), while the IPAQ scores of Physical Education and Sports Teaching students were higher than those of Sports Management students (H=8.935; p<0.05). In addition, a weak but significant positive correlation was identified between IPAQ and EAT (r = 0.131; p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicate that university students’ physical activity, eating attitudes and BMI are influenced by demographic factors. Field of study, age, departments, and gender emerged as significant determinants of IPAQ, EAT and BMI.