A new multi-institutional study reveals diverse patterns of disordered eating among college students, challenging stereotypes and underscoring the importance of tailored mental health support.
Disordered eating among college students is a multifaceted issue that demands personalized mental health care, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Cincinnati, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Miami University and West Virginia University.
“The study highlights how complex disordered eating can be and emphasizes the need for personalized mental health care,” co-author Rose Marie Ward, a psychology researcher at the University of Cincinnati, said in a news release.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, eating disorders are most prevalent among young adults. But there’s a persistent but flawed belief that eating disorders predominantly affect white, affluent, teenage girls.
This study, published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, reveals that disordered eating is far more demographically widespread with diverse causes.
The researchers examined the health survey data of 1,362 college students aged 18-24.
The findings identified five distinct patterns of disordered eating behaviors, each linked to varying levels of anxiety, distress tolerance and alcohol use.
One notable finding revealed that nearly 8% of the students exhibited high anxiety levels coupled with severe disordered eating. Approximately 70% of this group identified as women and displayed elevated scores across multiple psychological risk factors, indicating the presence of several overlapping mental health challenges.
“This finding is important because it shows that anxiety plays a major role in the most severe cases of disordered eating,” added Ward.
Another unexpected discovery was a group comprising nearly 10% of the sample, mostly male students, who engaged in excessive exercise and muscle-building behaviors. This group reported some of the lowest levels of anxiety and emotional distress. The behavior is reminiscent of what some term “drunkorexia,” where individuals balance heavy drinking with compensatory eating and fitness habits.
“These results show that disordered eating isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Ward added, emphasizing that some students might use food, exercise or alcohol in ways masked as healthy behaviors but which indicate deeper issues.
The study’s findings suggest that seemingly healthy behaviors, like excessive exercise, could be overlooked, particularly in individuals who do not show typical signs of emotional distress.
“Our findings challenge the idea that disordered eating only exists in extreme or obvious forms,” added lead author Elizabeth Claydon, an assistant professor at the West Virginia University School of Public Health. “By recognizing the full range of behaviors and their psychological roots, we can create more effective, customized support systems for students.”
Source: University of Cincinnati