Citation

Wilkerson AH, Hackman CL, Rush SE, Usdan SL, Smith CS. J. Am. Coll. Health 2017; 65(7): 492-501.

Affiliation

Kinesiology Department , California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo , CA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2017.1344848

PMID

28641040

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Behaviors of weight conscious drinkers (BWCD) include disordered eating, excessive physical activity, and heavy episodic drinking. Considering approximately 25% of college students report BWCD, it is important to investigate what characteristics increase the likelihood of college students engaging in BWCD for both moderate and vigorous physical activity. PARTICIPANTS: 510 college students recruited from a large, public southeastern university.

METHODS: Participants completed a cross-sectional survey during the spring 2015 semester.

RESULTS: Of 510 respondents, 11.2% reported moderate physical activity (PA)-based BWCD and 14.7% reported vigorous PA-based BWCD. Weight loss intention, BMI and Greek affiliation predicted both moderate and vigorous BWCD.

CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that Greek-affiliated students and students with weight loss intentions might be at an increased risk for BWCD. Along with promoting lower levels of alcohol consumption, college practitioners should consider discussing issues of weight and body image with college students as they relate to maladaptive drinking behavior.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol; disordered eating; physical activity; “drunkorexia,” college students