A prospective study of disordered eating among college students

Abstract

The prevalence of disordered eating among college students was assessed at the beginning and the end of the freshman year. The study aimed to identify factors related to worsening of disordered eating during the year. Questionnaires were completed by 590 males and 450 females at baseline and 546 males and 403 females at follow‐up. At baseline, the prevalence of bulimia nervosa was 3.8% for females and 0.2% for males. The prevalence of disordered eating symptoms was considerably higher. The prevalence of bulimia nervosa at follow‐up was virtually unchanged. However, many students experienced an onset of disordered eating during the year. Analyses of changes during the year revealed that worsening of disordered eating among females was associated with increasingly dysphoric feelings about weight, decreased ratings of their attractiveness, high perceived stress, increased weight dissatisfaction, and increased ineffectiveness.

Stability and change in patterns of concerns related to eating, weight, and shape in young adult women: A latent transition analysis.

“…However, when movement occurred, it tended to be toward a less severe class (e.g., LOBE to Limiting or Binge Eating/Overeating; Limiting to NOPE). This finding is somewhat in conflict with previous findings that eating concerns are more likely to emerge than to abate over the freshman year (Striegel-Moore et al, 1989) but is more in line with decreasing trends from extensive follow-up (e.g., 10 to 20 years; Heatherton et al, 1997; Keel et al, 2007). …”

Stability and change in patterns of concerns related to eating, weight, and shape in young adult women: A latent transition analysis.

“…However, when movement occurred, it tended to be toward a less severe class (e.g., LOBE to Limiting or Binge Eating/Overeating; Limiting to NOPE). This finding is somewhat in conflict with previous findings that eating concerns are more likely to emerge than to abate over the freshman year (Striegel-Moore et al, 1989) but is more in line with decreasing trends from extensive follow-up (e.g., 10 to 20 years; Heatherton et al, 1997; Keel et al, 2007). …”

A comparative analysis of role attainment and impairment in binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa: results from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

“…This pattern is indirectly consistent with the widely accepted notion that student peer norms play an important role in maladaptive eating behaviors (Cain et al , 2008; Gerner & Wilson, 2005; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013; Jones & Crawford, 2006; Striegel-Moore et al , 1989). The fact that this pattern was found only among females is consistent with previous findings that females are more vulnerable than males to appearance-related social pressures and body dissatisfaction (Forrester-Knauss & Zemp Stutz, 2012; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013; Jones & Crawford, 2006).…”

“…Of the two positive cross-lagged associations between EDs and education, the easier to interpret is that between student status and elevated risks of subsequent onset of BED and BN. This pattern is indirectly consistent with the widely accepted notion that student peer norms play an important role in maladaptive eating behaviours (Striegel-Moore et al 1989; Gerner & Wilson, 2005; Jones & Crawford, 2006; Cain et al 2008; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013). The fact that this pattern was found only among females is consistent with previous findings that females are more vulnerable than males to appearance-related social pressures and body dissatisfaction (Jones & Crawford, 2006; Forrester-Knauss & Zemp Stutz, 2012; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013).…”

Disordered Eating: Can Women Accurately Recall Their Ringing and Purging Behaviors 10 Years Later?

“…Nonetheless, 1.5% of the women 27 to 34 years of age were inducing vomiting and 0.8% were binging and purging at least weekly. The observed prevalence of binging and purging among college women was lower than that reported in other studies assessing maladaptive eating behaviors with a self-report questionnaire among college women (12,14,26). There are several possible explanations for the discrepancy.…”

Stability and change in patterns of concerns related to eating, weight, and shape in young adult women: A latent transition analysis.

“…However, when movement occurred, it tended to be toward a less severe class (e.g., LOBE to Limiting or Binge Eating/Overeating; Limiting to NOPE). This finding is somewhat in conflict with previous findings that eating concerns are more likely to emerge than to abate over the freshman year (Striegel-Moore et al, 1989) but is more in line with decreasing trends from extensive follow-up (e.g., 10 to 20 years; Heatherton et al, 1997; Keel et al, 2007). …”

A comparative analysis of role attainment and impairment in binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa: results from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

“…This pattern is indirectly consistent with the widely accepted notion that student peer norms play an important role in maladaptive eating behaviors (Cain et al , 2008; Gerner & Wilson, 2005; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013; Jones & Crawford, 2006; Striegel-Moore et al , 1989). The fact that this pattern was found only among females is consistent with previous findings that females are more vulnerable than males to appearance-related social pressures and body dissatisfaction (Forrester-Knauss & Zemp Stutz, 2012; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013; Jones & Crawford, 2006).…”

“…Of the two positive cross-lagged associations between EDs and education, the easier to interpret is that between student status and elevated risks of subsequent onset of BED and BN. This pattern is indirectly consistent with the widely accepted notion that student peer norms play an important role in maladaptive eating behaviours (Striegel-Moore et al 1989; Gerner & Wilson, 2005; Jones & Crawford, 2006; Cain et al 2008; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013). The fact that this pattern was found only among females is consistent with previous findings that females are more vulnerable than males to appearance-related social pressures and body dissatisfaction (Jones & Crawford, 2006; Forrester-Knauss & Zemp Stutz, 2012; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013).…”

Disordered Eating: Can Women Accurately Recall Their Ringing and Purging Behaviors 10 Years Later?

“…Nonetheless, 1.5% of the women 27 to 34 years of age were inducing vomiting and 0.8% were binging and purging at least weekly. The observed prevalence of binging and purging among college women was lower than that reported in other studies assessing maladaptive eating behaviors with a self-report questionnaire among college women (12,14,26). There are several possible explanations for the discrepancy.…”

Stability and change in patterns of concerns related to eating, weight, and shape in young adult women: A latent transition analysis.

“…However, when movement occurred, it tended to be toward a less severe class (e.g., LOBE to Limiting or Binge Eating/Overeating; Limiting to NOPE). This finding is somewhat in conflict with previous findings that eating concerns are more likely to emerge than to abate over the freshman year (Striegel-Moore et al, 1989) but is more in line with decreasing trends from extensive follow-up (e.g., 10 to 20 years; Heatherton et al, 1997; Keel et al, 2007). …”

A comparative analysis of role attainment and impairment in binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa: results from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

“…This pattern is indirectly consistent with the widely accepted notion that student peer norms play an important role in maladaptive eating behaviors (Cain et al , 2008; Gerner & Wilson, 2005; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013; Jones & Crawford, 2006; Striegel-Moore et al , 1989). The fact that this pattern was found only among females is consistent with previous findings that females are more vulnerable than males to appearance-related social pressures and body dissatisfaction (Forrester-Knauss & Zemp Stutz, 2012; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013; Jones & Crawford, 2006).…”

“…Of the two positive cross-lagged associations between EDs and education, the easier to interpret is that between student status and elevated risks of subsequent onset of BED and BN. This pattern is indirectly consistent with the widely accepted notion that student peer norms play an important role in maladaptive eating behaviours (Striegel-Moore et al 1989; Gerner & Wilson, 2005; Jones & Crawford, 2006; Cain et al 2008; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013). The fact that this pattern was found only among females is consistent with previous findings that females are more vulnerable than males to appearance-related social pressures and body dissatisfaction (Jones & Crawford, 2006; Forrester-Knauss & Zemp Stutz, 2012; Helfert & Warschburger, 2013).…”

Disordered Eating: Can Women Accurately Recall Their Ringing and Purging Behaviors 10 Years Later?

“…Nonetheless, 1.5% of the women 27 to 34 years of age were inducing vomiting and 0.8% were binging and purging at least weekly. The observed prevalence of binging and purging among college women was lower than that reported in other studies assessing maladaptive eating behaviors with a self-report questionnaire among college women (12,14,26). There are several possible explanations for the discrepancy.…”