Weight and dieting behavior of college students in Cyprus

The purpose of this study was to provide the first report of weight and dieting behaviour of college students in Cyprus. A cross‐sectional survey was administered to a convenience sample of 451 students studying at the largest private college in Cyprus. The survey was used to determine the prevalence of inappropriate dieting practices that included use of diet pills, fasting, induced vomiting and laxative use to get rid of food eaten. Body mass index and accuracy of self‐perceived weight were also determined. A high rate of underweight among females and a low rate of obesity for all students were found. Students reported unhealthy dieting behaviours including use of diet pills, fasting, induced vomiting and laxative use. The results show that there are serious weight issues for students in Cyprus and indicate that disordered dieting behaviours exist in the Mediterranean.