Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Perfectionism and eating attitudes in Portuguese students: a longitudinal study
Maria João Soares1, António Macedo, Sandra Carvalho Bos
1Instituto de Psicologia Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. msoares@fmed.uc.pt
Aim:
To investigate the role of perfectionism in the development of disordered eating behaviours.
Method:
382 female university students completed the Hewitt & Flett MPS and the EAT-40 at baseline, and 1 year after (T1) and 206 2 years later (T2).
Results:
Perfectionism at baseline was significantly associated with long-term abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours. Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP) and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP) were significant predictors of disordered eating behaviours. Regression analysis revealed that SOP at baseline was predictive of Diet Concerns and overall eating disturbance (EAT total score), at T1 and T2. SPP was a significant predictor of Social Pressure to Eat at T1 and T2 and of Bulimic Behaviours only at T1.
Conclusion:
Our findings contribute to a more clear understanding of the association between perfectionism and eating disorders. SOP and SPP were prospectively associated with abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours and SOP was found to be predictive of diet concerns and overall eating disturbance.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Bulimia Nervosa
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Binge Eating Disorders
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
