Body Image Dissatisfaction and Eating Attitudes Among Female Undergraduates at the University of Benin, Edo State, South South Nigeria

Body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes are psychological concerns with significant health implications, and their prevalence among young Nigerian women is increasing alongside growing exposure to Western beauty standards through digital media. This study investigates the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and eating attitudes among female undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State. A cross-sectional survey is conducted with 260 female students aged 17 to 28 years selected through systematic random sampling. The Body Shape Questionnaire and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 are administered alongside a questionnaire measuring social media use frequency and perceived sociocultural pressure regarding appearance. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression are applied using SPSS. Recent literature from South South Nigerian universities identifies body image dissatisfaction as significantly more prevalent among students with high social media exposure and among those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds where thinness is more strongly valorised. Objectification Theory and the Tripartite Influence Model provide the theoretical grounding. Findings are expected to reveal a significant positive relationship between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes, with social media use partially mediating this relationship. Outcomes will support the development of body-positive intervention programmes within the University of Benin's student health services. Keywords: body image, eating attitudes, female undergraduates, University of Benin, South South Nigeria.