Pathological Behaviors Associated with the Desire to be Thin: A Study of College Students

The percentage of adolescents and adults who are overweight or obese have hit a historical high in the US. According to the CDC, 66.3% of adults and 45.9% of adolescents are overweight or obese. Ironically, while the country has been expanding its waist line, many have developed a dangerous preoccupation with the desire to be thinner. Both men and women are susceptible to body image concerns which may lead to the development of pathological behaviors. Moreover, many women and men of normal weight as defined by BMI have a desire to be thinner.

The purpose of this study is to examine pathological behaviors associated with the desire to be thin among college students. To this end, close to 1,000 undergraduate college students were surveyed in health and physical activity classes at Binghamton University in Upstate New York. The survey instrument consisted of a variety of questions, including questions on demographics, substance use, social relationships, school work, exercise habits, eating habits, and diet history and patterns.

Initial analyses of the data indicate that 10% of the respondents used diuretics; 20% used diet pills; 11% used laxatives; 30% fasted; 15% vomited; 26% exercised compulsively; and 24% binged. About four percent of the respondents were underweight, 57% normal weight, 18% overweight and 9% obese.

This presentation will include detailed analyses of pathological eating behaviors and their relationship to BMI, body perception, body image, social relationships, and school work, gender, ethnicity, and other demographic factors.