Eating Competence and Weight Status among Middle School Students in Iraq
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Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between eating competence and weight status among middle school students in Karbala City, Iraq.
Methods and Materials: A non-experimental descriptive–predictive correlational study was conducted from November 25, 2025, to February 12, 2026. The sample included 429 male and female middle school students selected from 18 public schools in Karbala City using multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the 16-item Expanded Eating Competence Inventory, which assesses eating attitudes, food acceptance, internal regulation, and contextual skills. Anthropometric measurements, including weight and height, were obtained, and body mass index was calculated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regression in SPSS version 28.
Findings: The mean age of participants was 14.24 ± 1.05 years, and 55.9% were female. Most students belonged to the middle socioeconomic class, 57.1%. Regarding weight status, 60.3% had normal weight, 24.7% were underweight, 11.7% were overweight, 2.8% had class I obesity, and 0.5% had class II obesity. Eating competence significantly and negatively predicted BMI, β = −0.203, t = −2.130, p = .034. In the multiple regression model, eating competence remained significantly associated with BMI after controlling for age, B = −2.3867, p = .0028. Age was also significantly related to BMI, p = .0010, and socioeconomic status significantly moderated the relationship between eating competence and behavioral factors, p = .0339.
Conclusion: Higher eating competence was associated with lower BMI and healthier weight status among middle school students.
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