Binge eating and purging in first-year college students: Prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity, and academic performance

Serra R, Kiekens G, Vanderlinden J, Vrieze E, Auerbach RP, Benjet C, Claes L, Cuijpers P, Demyttenaere K, Ebert D, Tarsitani L, Green JG, Kessler RC, Nock MK, Mortier P, Bruffaerts R (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

International Journal of Eating Disorders Wiley-Blackwell

DOI: 10.1002/eat.23211

Abstract

Background: Binge eating and purging behaviors (BPB) are common among college students, but evidence is scant on prevalence and associations of BPB with mental health problems and objective academic performance. This study aims to investigate: (a) 12-month prevalence of BPB among college first-year students, (b) comorbidity patterns of BPB with various mental health problems, and (c) the association of BPB with objective academic functioning. Methods: Using data from the Leuven College Surveys (Belgium), as part of the World Mental Health Surveys International College Student initiative, we cross-sectionally assessed 12-month BPB and mental health problems among college first-year students (n = 4,889; response rate = 73.2%) at the beginning of the academic year. Objective measures of academic functioning (final grades, expressed in academic year percentage “AYP” [0–100%] and academic failure) were obtained from administrative records at the end of the academic year. Results: Twelve-month prevalence of BPB was 7.6% (7.3%binge eating and 1.0%purging), with higher rates among females than males. Bivariate models showed an association between BPB and numerous mental health problems (ORs = 3.4–18.4). Multivariate models showed associations with non-suicidal self-injury, post-traumatic stress, internalizing/externalizing problems and suicidal ideation. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid mental health problems, BPB were still associated with lower AYP (−4.1 to −11.2% range) and elevated odds of academic year failure (ORs = 1.4–4.2). Conclusions: BPB (especially binge eating) are relatively common and associated with mental health problems, comparatively low academic performance, and higher risk of academic failure among college first-year students. Further study is needed to examine the causal dynamics underlying these associations.

Authors with CRIS profile

David Ebert Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie

Involved external institutions

Università degli studi "La Sapienza" IT Italy (IT) Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven BE Belgium (BE) University Hospital Leuven (UZ) / Universitaire ziekenhuizen Leuven BE Belgium (BE) Columbia University US United States (USA) (US) National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz / Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Dr. Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz MX Mexico (MX) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) / University Amsterdam NL Netherlands (NL) Boston University US United States (USA) (US) Veterans Affairs Healthcare System Boston and Harvard Medical School US United States (USA) (US) Harvard University US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Serra, R., Kiekens, G., Vanderlinden, J., Vrieze, E., Auerbach, R.P., Benjet, C.,... Bruffaerts, R. (2019). Binge eating and purging in first-year college students: Prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity, and academic performance. International Journal of Eating Disorders. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eat.23211

MLA:

Serra, Riccardo, et al. "Binge eating and purging in first-year college students: Prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity, and academic performance." International Journal of Eating Disorders (2019).

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