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Binge-eating disorder in university students: high prevalence and strong link to impulsive and compulsive traits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2021

Jeremy E. Solly ,
Samuel R. Chamberlain ,
Katherine Lust  and
Jon E. Grant Open the ORCID record for Jon E. Grant [Opens in a new window]
Jeremy E. Solly
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom Psychiatry, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Samuel R. Chamberlain
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
Katherine Lust
Affiliation:
Boynton Health Service, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Jon E. Grant*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
*
*Author for correspondence: Jon E. Grant, JD, MD, MPH Email: jongrant@uchicago.edu
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Abstract

Background

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, and is associated with significant comorbidity, with university students being particularly vulnerable. We aimed to assess associations of BED with a wide range of comorbidities and measures of impulsivity and compulsivity in university students, to gain better understanding of its prevalence, correlates and pathophysiology.

Methods

We carried out an internet-based survey, assessing presence of BED using a validated structured self-report diagnostic tool, demographics, substance use, impulsive behaviors, psychiatric history, and measures of impulsivity and compulsivity. Approximately 10 000 students were invited to take part. Group differences between students with current BED and students without BED were investigated.

Results

A total of 3415 students completed the survey, with 83 (2.4%) screening positive for BED. BED was associated with female gender, hazardous/harmful alcohol use, depression and anxiety symptoms, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, treatment for psychological/emotional problems (including prescribed medication) and trait impulsivity and compulsivity. However, the largest effect sizes were evident for associations with trait impulsivity and compulsivity.

Conclusions

The associations of BED with trait impulsivity and compulsivity implicate these latent phenotypes in its pathophysiology. The identified links between BED and a wide range of mental disorders highlight the need to screen for disordered eating in student populations, including when students present with other mental health conditions.

Keywords

Binge eatingimpulsivitycompulsivitycomorbiditystudents
Type
Original Research
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , February 2023 , pp. 61 - 69
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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