Binge eating and health behaviors during times of high and low stress among first-year university students

Abstract

The current study examined binge eating behaviors among first-year undergraduate students over the academic year (September 2019, November 2019, January 2020, March 2020), and if between and within person effects of physical activity and sleep impact binge eating behaviours during times of higher-and lower-stress (n=394, Mage=18.6). Participants completed online surveys of moderate and vigorous exercise, hours and quality of sleep, and binge eating behaviours four times over the academic year. Results of multilevel models revealed relatively stable binge eating scores across the academic year. We did not find evidence of robust associations between exercise and sleep and binge eating behaviors during times of high and low stress over the academic year. Large increases in vigorous physical activity may be effective in reducing binge eating behaviors among women. These findings suggest that the effect of exercise on binge eating behaviours may be smaller than previous research suggests and that targeted exercise intervention is needed to see meaningful changes in binge eating behaviors.