Disordered Eating Among a Diverse Sample of First-Year College Students

A cross-sectional study of first-year college students was conducted to identify the prevalence and predictors of disordered eating (DE).

College freshmen students, aged 18 years, (n = 106) completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and a supplemental survey. A subset of the sample (n = 77) underwent measurements of height, weight, and body composition. DE was defined as an elevated (3) weight, shape, eating concern, or dietary restraint EDE-Q subscale score.

The sample, consisting of 56.6%, 15.1%, 11.3%, and 11.3% Latino/a, Asian, African American, and Caucasian students, respectively (37% male), reported a 31.1% prevalence of DE. The current desire to lose weight was the strongest predictor of DE (odds ratio = 15.3; 95% confidence interval = 2.8, 82.5). Other variables linked to DE or elevated EDE-Q subscale scores included body mass index (BMI) 25.0 kg/m², vegetarianism, weight loss in the past year, female gender, and eating breakfast < 5 d/wk. Participants with BMI 25.0 kg/m² and the current desire to lose weight (n = 23) or following a vegetarian diet (n = 5) exhibited the highest prevalence of DE (78.3% and 80.0%, respectively). A higher proportion of Latinas reported binge episodes compared to female Caucasian, Asian, and African American students (36.4% vs. 0.0%, 6.7%, and 28.6%, respectively, p = 0.056, χ² = 7.6). Males, versus females, were more likely to report excessive exercise (56.4% vs. 37.3%, p = 0.056, χ² = 3.6).

This study adds to the current body of literature on DE by providing a diverse sample and potentially novel predictors and risk factors for DE.