Psychological Well-Being, Eating Disorder Risk, & Weight-Related Concerns in First Semester College Students

Presenter Information

Madisen Reasonover

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Zhiping Yu, Dr. Paul Fuglestad

Faculty Sponsor College

Brooks College of Health

Faculty Sponsor Department

Nutrition & Dietetics

Location

SOARS Virtual Conference

Presentation Website

https://unfsoars.domains.unf.edu/2021/posters/psychological-well-being-eating-disorder-risk-weight-related-concerns-in-first-semester-college-students/

Keywords

SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Archives; SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Posters; University of North Florida -- Students -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Office of Undergraduate Research; University of North Florida. Graduate School; College students – Research -- Florida – Jacksonville – Posters; University of North Florida – Graduate students – Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Department of Psychology -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Department of Nutrition & Dietetics -- Research -- Posters

Abstract

Both mental health and eating disorders are increasing health concerns for college students. This study aimed to examine associative links between psychological distress, adverse childhood experiences, food addiction, and weight-related concerns among first semester college students. Freshman students 18 years or older in all majors in a southeastern university were invited to take an online survey. The measures included demographic characteristics, psychological behaviors and eating disorder risks. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess associations. Ninety-two students (79.3% female, 61.5% white) completed the survey. Psychological distress was significantly correlated with higher eating disorder risk (stress r=0.28, anxiety r=0.28, depression r=0.42; p’s

Comments

Audio Presentation Transcript:

Madisen Reasonover:
“Psychological well-being, eating disorder risk and weight related concerns in first semester college students.

The objective of this study was to determine the associations between psychological well-being, eating, disorder risk and weight-related concerns in incoming college students.

Eating disorders, often referred to as ED, are considered complex mental health disorders, as outlined by the APA in the DSM-5. Additionally, eating disorders often co-occur with other mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Further, more adverse childhood experiences is linked to higher rates of mental health disorders among college students.

Regarding the method of the study, participants included first semester students at least 18 years of age from all the UNF colleges. The total sample size was 92 with 79.3% being female and 61.5% identifying as white. First, an interest survey was sent out to all of the incoming freshmen in fall of 2019, as well as fall of 2020. If the students agreed, they then filled out a set of measures, including demographic information, the Yale Food Addiction Scale, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite Version, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory 2, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Upon completion of the study, participants received a 30-dollar Amazon e-gift card. Statistical analyses included computation of average variable scores for each participant, descriptive statistics, and bivariate correlations.

The results showed that psychological distress was significantly correlated with higher eating disorder risk, in that anxiety and stress had small correlations with higher eating disorder risk. However, depression had a small to moderate correlation with eating disorder risk. Additionally, psychological distress was significantly correlated with higher food addiction symptom counts. More specifically, anxiety and depression both exhibited small to moderate correlation values, while stress only had a small correlation value. Further psychological distress and lower weight-related quality of life were significantly correlated, in that stress also had a small correlation, while anxiety and depression had medium correlation values.
Regarding adverse childhood experiences, an increase in bad experiences during childhood was significantly correlated with increased psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, but not stress. Increased adverse childhood experiences was also significantly correlated with higher food addiction symptom count, as well as lower weight-related quality of life. Lastly, greater anxiety reported was also significantly correlated with lower self-reported dream weights and happy weights among participants. In conclusion, adverse childhood experiences, mental health and eating patterns are critical. Influencers of college student health, development and management of psychological well-being is important for prevention and treatment of eating disorders and weight related issues among college students.

Thank you for listening!”

Rights Statement

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