Ideation and attempted suicide among college students: relationship with weight control practices

Objective: To identify the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide among university students and its relationship with weight control practices. Method: This is a quantitative cross-sectional analytical study, with a sample for voluntary adherence. The analyzes were performed using the Stata 11 statistical package. Participants: College students of both sexes from five campuses (N = 7235) Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation for the studied population was 25.9%. As for suicidal ideation, for the students, the chances of achieving the result were 68% higher. Body perception was also associated with attempted suicide. Conclusion: The prevalence of suicidal ideation found was considered high and, for suicide attempts, the findings corroborate the current literature. Suicide attempt was highest among young people between 16 and 25 years old and women. Regarding body perception, those who considered themselves over-weight were more likely to have ideation and attempts, as well as those who used steroids and the induction of vomiting or use of laxatives as a way to lose weight. It is necessary to analyze the context in which university students live, recognizing the diverse influences in the establishment of consumption patterns, as well as patterns for the ideal body.