Compulsive Eating Disorders Among College Students

Compulsive eating disorders affect people of all ages, but are especially prominent among college students.

The Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association cites the following statistics on college student eating disorders:

• 15% of women 17 to 24 have eating disorders
• 40% of female college students have eating disorders
• 91% of female college students have attempted to control their weight through dieting

While recent information is not available, experts say the incidence of compulsive eating disorders among college students who are males is also increasing. According to one study on college student eating disorders, 5% to 20% of college females and 1% to 7% of college males have eating disorders (Johnson & Connors, The Etiology and Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa, 1987).

Compulsive Eating Disorders Among College Students

Compulsive eating among college students is especially common.

Compulsive eating disorders, as the name implies, are characterized by uncontrollable, excessive eating, followed by feelings of shame and guilt. Compulsive eating disorders are especially common among college students.

Unlike those with bulimia, college students with compulsive eating disorders typically do not purge their food. However, many college students who have bulimia also have compulsive eating disorders.

Compulsive eating disorders among college students typically result in individuals being overweight or obese. They feel like they have no control over their behavior, and eat in secret and when they are not hungry. College students with compulsive eating disorders also feel shame and remorse over their behavior. They may hide food. Excessive amounts of food containers and wrappers are also evidence of compulsive eating among college students.

Other signs include:

• Compulsive eating in secret
• "Grazing" continuously without feeling satiated
• Compulsive eating when stressed or when feeling uncertain how to cope
• Feeling unable to control how much they eat
• Experimenting with different diets

About one in five young women report that they have had symptoms of compulsive eating disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Men account for about 40% of cases of compulsive eating disorders among college students.

The Medical Impact of Compulsive Eating Disorders Among College Students

College students with compulsive eating disorders are susceptible to health problems caused by being overweight, including high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Those with compulsive eating disorder symptoms who are obese increase their risk of heart diseases, many types of cancer and gallbladder disease. Compulsive eating among college students often takes place along with other psychiatric illnesses, especially depression.

Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorders Among College Students

While more research is needed before we understand the causes of compulsive eating and other eating disorders, we now know that several factors can lead to compulsive eating disorders among college students. While there is no single root cause, we believe that people with symptoms of compulsive eating disorders have a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects their behavior.

Genetics are also a major factor, as are cultural ideals about body image. A traumatic event, which may have taken place years before compulsive eating disorders occur, may also have an impact. Such events may include sexual abuse or rape, emotional abuse, parents' divorce, death of a loved one or a history of being teased or ridiculed.

Helping College Students With Compulsive Eating Disorders

If you suspect you or a college student you know has a compulsive eating disorder, seek professional counseling immediately.

For help treating college students with compulsive eating disorders, contact Walden Behavioral Care at 781-647-6700 or Info@waldenbehavioralcare.com. Our Eating Disorder Treatment Program provides discrete, highly specialized treatment for college students with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder and other eating disorders.