Türk Ergenlerde Duygusal Yeme Durumlarının Beden Algısı ve Sosyal Kaygı Düzeylerine Etkisi

Abstract

Giriş: Ergenlik dönemi, bireylerin fiziksel, duygusal ve sosyal açıdan hızlı değişimler yaşadığı, beslenme alışkanlıkları ve beden algısının uzun vadeli sağlık sonuçları üzerinde önemli etkiler yarattığı bir süreçtir. Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türk ergenlerde duygusal yemenin beden algısı ve sosyal kaygı düzeyleri üzerindeki etkisini incelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Araştırmada 'Çocuk ve Ergenler İçin Duygusal Yeme Ölçeği', 'Beden Algısı Ölçeği' ve 'Sosyal Anksiyete Ölçeği' kullanılmıştır. Veriler 2022-2023 eğitim-öğretim yılının 10 Ocak ile 1 Mart 2023 tarihleri arasında toplanmıştır. Türkiye'nin İç Anadolu Bölgesi'ndeki bir ilçede bulunan beş ortaokuldan toplam 347 ergen (10-14 yaş arası 5-8. sınıf öğrencileri) çalışma örneklemine dâhil edilmiştir. Bulgular: Bulgularımız, bu popülâsyonda duygusal yeme ile zayıf beden algısı arasında orta düzeyde bir ilişki olduğunu göstermektedir. Daha yüksek düzeyde duygusal yeme bildiren ergenlerin, fiziksel görünümlerinden memnuniyetsizlik de dâhil olmak üzere, bedenleri hakkında olumsuz düşünce ve duygulara sahip olma olasılıkları daha yüksektir. Ayrıca, sosyal kaygı düzeylerinin de duygusal yeme davranışları ile güçlü bir şekilde ilişkili olduğu bulunmuştur. Sonuç ve Öneriler: Çalışmamız, duygusal yemenin beden algısı ve sosyal etkileşimle ilgili olumsuz sonuçlara katkıda bulunabileceği belirli yollara ilişkin önemli bilgiler sağlamaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, okullarda psikolojik destek programları ve beslenme eğitimi sağlanmalı, aileler çocuklarının duygusal yeme davranışlarını tanımaları ve destek olmaları konusunda bilgilendirilmelidir. Sosyal beceri eğitimleri düzenlenmeli, okul psikolojik danışmanlık servisleri aktif olarak kullanılmalı ve gelecekte yapılacak araştırmalarla uzun vadeli takip çalışmaları gerçekleştirilmelidir.

Keywords

• Beden algısı
• Duygusal yeme durumları
• Ergenler
• Sosyal kaygı düzeyleri

The Effect of Emotional Eating States on Body Perception and Social Anxiety Levels among Turkish Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a period characterized by rapid physical, emotional, and social changes, during which eating habits and body image can have significant long-term health impacts. Aim: This study aims to examine the effects of emotional eating on body image and social anxiety levels among Turkish adolescents. Materials and Methods: The study utilized the "Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents," the "Body Image Scale," and the "Social Anxiety Scale." Data were collected between January 10 and March 1, 2023, during the 2022-2023 academic year. A total of 347 adolescents (5th to 8th grade students aged 10-14 years) from five middle schools in a district of Turkey's Central Anatolia Region were included in the study sample. Results: Our findings indicate a moderate relationship between emotional eating and poor body image in this population. Adolescents reporting higher levels of emotional eating are more likely to have negative thoughts and feelings about their bodies, including dissatisfaction with their physical appearance. Additionally, social anxiety levels were found to be strongly associated with emotional eating behaviors. Conclusion and Suggestion: Our study provides important insights into specific ways in which emotional eating may contribute to negative outcomes related to body image and social interaction. Accordingly, psychological support programs and nutrition education should be provided in schools, and parents should be informed about recognizing and supporting their children's emotional eating behaviors. Social skills training should be organized, school psychological counseling services should be actively utilized, and future research with long-term follow-up studies should be conducted.

Keywords

• Body image
• Emotional eating
• Adolescents
• Social anxiety levels

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