College Atmosphere and Eating Disorders

Abstract

The authors investigated whether different campus environment factors were related to eating disorder symptomatology at two distinctly different colleges. The first campus was conservative, placing an emphasis on appearance and dress, whereas the second campus was liberal, placing an emphasis on political activism and intellectual talent. As hypothesized, the two schools did not differ in regard to overall levels of eating disorders, yet different factors were associated with eating disorder symptomatology at each school. Implications for eating disorder interventions on college campuses are discussed.

The influence of reported trauma and adverse events on eating disturbance in young adults

“…Rates of clinical disordered eating among college students range from 2 to 4%, [42][43][44][45] with much higher levels of subclinical disordered eating reported (7.2-61%; Refs. 42 and 43).…”

Life Satisfaction, Dieting Behavior, and Weight Perceptions among College Students

“…Women may be more likely to exhibit behavior indicative of eating disorders because thinness is normally considered attractive (Grogan 1999). As a result, college environments may indirectly contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders by accentuating attractiveness, motivation and perfection (Kashubeck et al 1994).…”

Social contagion of eating attitudes and behaviors among first year college women living in residence hall communities

“…For many individuals, adjusting to college can be produce a new set of academic, social, personal, and emotional stressors in their lives. College students have been shown to confront increased levels of stress, especially in their first year (Astin, 1977;Kashubeck et al, 1994;Murphy & Archer, 1996;Sher, Wood, & Gotham, 1996;Striegel-Moore, Silberstein, Frensch, & Rodin, 1989;Thombs, Rosenberg, Mahoney, & Daniel, 1996). Direct relationships between college student adjustment and eating problems have also been examined in the literature.…”