Relationship of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with food intake, anthropometric measurements and eating behaviors in male students

Gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation can affect the quality of life; and various factors play a role in these disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental factors related to these problems among Iranian male university students. The study was conducted on 186 male students at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Rome Criteria III (to identify gastrointestinal disorders), Dutch eating behavior, food pattern brief instrument and international physical activity questionnaires were completed by all participants; moreover, their anthropometric measurements were taken. The results showed a significant difference in weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist to hip ratio in the students suffering from constipation compared with the healthy ones. The students with constipation had more significant milk intake and those with IBS had less intake of vegetables. No significant differences were observed in the eating behavior of students with constipation and IBS, and the healthy ones. Weight and other anthropometric indices could be considered as factors related to constipation. According to the results, an appropriate and balanced intake of different food groups with emphasis on vegetables, milk and dairy products could be recommended.