University students binge eating and its impact on work and school productivity

Health behavior - Age factor;College students attitudes;Impulse control disorder;Eating disorders

Stoffel, Cheri LFilipova, Anna ;

University of Wisconsin

关键词: Health behavior - Age factor;    College students attitudes;    Impulse control disorder;    Eating disorders;   

Others  :  https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/73741/Stoffel%2c%20Cheri.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: University of Wisconsin

【 摘 要 】

The literature suggests that people of all ages engage in risky eating patterns, withsome developing eating disorders. The average age for developing eating disorders isadolescence and early adulthood, the age of the traditional university student.Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is defined as recurrent episodes of overeatingaccompanied by a sense of loss of control and guilt. If untreated, it may cause seriousmedical and psychological damage. The literature suggests that many are not aware ofBED symptoms, and that university students underutilize treatment for various reasonsincluding embarrassment in seeking treatment and cost of treatment. University studentsengaging in such behaviors may unknowingly be worsening their current health andincreasing risks for additional health conditions in the future. Binge eating is positivelyassociated with obesity; obesity and binge eating are positively associated with shortsleep duration and physical inactivity. Additionally, binge eating and obesity have beenassociated with work productivity and functioning impairment. Prevalence of BED andimpairment of students;; work and classroom productivity, and regular daily and socialactivities, may warrant implementation of policies or programs to combat these effects.In the fall of 2013, all University of Wisconsin Oshkosh undergraduate andgraduate students were invited to participate in a survey assessing the prevalence bingeeating of clinical significance, and student awareness of symptoms and treatmentresources. Further information was gathered to investigate the effects of BED, adjustedfor certain health behaviors (i.e., obesity, sleep duration, and physical activity) on workand classroom productivity and activity impairment. Data were collected online usingpre-established instruments. Statistical analyses were done, using descriptive statistics,Pearson;;s chi-squared, Pearson;;s correlation, and multiple regression analysis.Results of the statistical analyses indicated that 7.8% of the sample self-reportedsymptoms consistent with a clinical BED diagnosis. Respondents indicated a lack ofawareness of the symptoms and treatment resources for BED. Binge eating was morecommon among obese students than non-obese students. Moderate binge eating, extremeobesity, physical inactivity, and short sleep may contribute to classroom productivity,daily activity and social activity impairment in students. Future research testing therelationship of university students with BED and the relationship to classroomproductivity and regular daily activity impairment is needed to corroborate findings