Disordered Eating Among University Students is Common and Associated With Clinical Eating Disorder Symptoms

OBJECTIVES: Eating disorders (ED) such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder are prevalent among university students. Symptoms of disordered eating such as frequent dieting; preoccupation with food, weight, and body image; and feelings of guilt and shame associated with eating may predispose students to EDs but are not well-examined with clinical ED constructs. METHODS: Undergraduate and postgraduate students 18 years and older were recruited from a single University in fall 2021. Participants completed a demographic survey; the validated 91-item Eating Disorders Inventory-3 (EDI-3) to examine drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction scores; and indicated which of nine symptoms of disordered eating they currently experienced. A disordered eating score (DES) was calculated by summing the number of current disordered eating symptoms (range 0–9). Linear regression was utilized to examine associations between DES and individual EDI-3 scores. RESULTS: Eighty-nine students participated (73% female, 39% Hispanic, mean age = 24.3 years, mean BMI = 24.9). Thirty-four (38%) reported currently having disordered eating, but when asked about individual symptoms, 68 (76%) reported at least one current symptom of disordered eating. The most common symptoms were skipping meals (n = 51, 57%); feelings of guilt and shame associated with eating (n = 40, 45%); and preoccupation with food, weight and body image that negatively impacts quality of life (n = 32, 36%). Mean DES was 2.8 (SD = 2.6). DES was strongly, positively associated with drive for thinness (r2 = 0.60, p < 0.0001), bulimia (r2 = 0.33, p < 0.0001), and body dissatisfaction (r2 = 0.30, p < 0.0001) EDI-3 scores. CONCLUSIONS: Less than 40% of students reported having disordered eating, but when asking about individual symptoms, more than 75% indicated at least one current symptom. Worryingly, a disordered eating score revealed students had, on average, three disordered eating symptoms; disordered eating score was strongly associated with clinical ED constructs including drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction. Efforts to examine academic and health impacts of disordered eating and to screen for disordered eating among university students to prevent EDs are critically needed. FUNDING SOURCES: Supported by a University of New Mexico Research Allocations Committee Grant.