Exploring the motives and mental health correlates of intentional food restriction prior to alcohol use in university students

Abstract

This study explored the prevalence of and motivations behind 'drunkorexia' – restricting food intake prior to drinking alcohol. For both male and female university students (N = 3409), intentionally changing eating behaviour prior to drinking alcohol was common practice (46%). Analyses performed on a targeted sample of women (n = 226) revealed that food restriction prior to alcohol use was associated with greater symptomology than eating more food. Those who restrict eating prior to drinking to avoid weight gain scored higher on measures of disordered eating, whereas those who restrict to get intoxicated faster scored higher on measures of alcohol abuse.

From fad to FAD: A theoretical formulation and proposed name change for “drunkorexia” to food and alcohol disturbance (FAD)

“…Other studies have reported upwards of 46-58% of college students engage in these behaviors at least "sometimes" (Knight, Castelnuovo, Pietrabissa, Manzoni, & Simpson, 2016;Roosen & Mills, 2015). Importantly, caloric compensation may occur before, during, or after alcohol consumption (Rahal et al, 2012).…”

“…were more likely to be willing to eat or even to increase food intake prior to drinking in an effort to prevent a hangover compared to women (Roosen & Mills, 2015). Thus, while both men and women report engaging in FAD behaviors, the functions of these behaviors may vary by gender.…”

“…For instance, some studies found that one-third of university students report the use of restriction of food prior to alcohol use in an effort to compensate for alcohol calories (Lupi, Martinotti, & Di Giannantonio, 2017;Roosen & Mills, 2015;Ward & Galante, 2015). For instance, some studies found that one-third of university students report the use of restriction of food prior to alcohol use in an effort to compensate for alcohol calories (Lupi, Martinotti, & Di Giannantonio, 2017;Roosen & Mills, 2015;Ward & Galante, 2015).…”

“…Since that time, a few empirical studies have shed light on how frequently caloric compensation and alcohol use intersect in various noncelebrity samples. For instance, some studies found that one-third of university students report the use of restriction of food prior to alcohol use in an effort to compensate for alcohol calories (Lupi, Martinotti, & Di Giannantonio, 2017;Roosen & Mills, 2015;Ward & Galante, 2015).…”

Drunkorexia: An Exploratory Investigation of College Students With Alcohol‐Related Infractions

“…Roosen and Mills () found that 46% of university students intentionally changed eating behaviors before drinking alcohol. Limiting caloric intake prior to drinking puts college students at an increased risk for becoming intoxicated and subsequently experiencing negative alcohol‐related consequences; female students who engage in this behavior are likely to report memory loss, injury, having unprotected sex, and being taken advantage of sexually, while men are likely to engage in physical fights (Giles, Champion, Sutfin, McCoy, & Wagoner, ).…”