Silent Struggles in Health Care Education: Eating Disorder Risk and Awareness Among Future Pharmacists

Eating disorders are serious conditions that profoundly impact individuals' physical and psychological health, yet they are often underrecognized by health care professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels and attitudes of fourth- and fifth-year student pharmacists regarding eating disorders and to assess the impact of a brief educational intervention on their knowledge.

This quasi-experimental, descriptive study was conducted between January and June 2025 with 165 students enrolled at a Faculty of Pharmacy. Participants completed the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and a researcher-developed knowledge questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered in 2 stages: before and after an educational briefing. Total correct responses were compared, and risk levels for eating disorders were determined using the EAT-26.

According to the EAT-26, 6.7% of participants were at risk for an eating disorder, while 27.9% displayed risky eating behaviors. The risk was 7.8% among female students and 2.1% among males. No significant difference was found between fourth- and fifth-year students. Following the intervention, the mean number of correct answers significantly increased (pretest: 4.20 ± 1.41; post-test: 8.10 ± 1.31), with knowledge levels improving in all participants.

This study demonstrates that the risk of eating disorders among student pharmacists is noteworthy and that brief educational efforts can effectively improve awareness. The findings highlight the need for structured content on eating disorders within pharmacy education.