Use of appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs and substances is associated with eating disorder symptomatology among U.S. college students.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Body ideals for both men and women are continuing to emphasize muscularity and leanness, which has resulted in the high prevalence of appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs and substances (APEDS) use, particularly among young men. Overall, little research has investigated the individual associations between specific APEDS use and eating disorder symptomatology, including among the high-risk population of young adult college students, which was the aim of this study.

METHODS:

Data from the 2020-2021 Healthy Minds Study (N = 7394) were analyzed. Five indicators of lifetime APEDS use were assessed, and a cumulative sum score was constructed. Eating disorder symptomatology was assessed via the SCOFF questionnaire. A total of 14 modified Poisson regression analyses were estimated to determine the association between APEDS use and a positive eating disorder screen among women and men.

RESULTS:

Lifetime use of protein supplements and diuretics or water pills were associated with a positive eating disorder screen among both women and men, while use of non-steroid synthetic muscle enhancers was associated with a positive eating disorder screen among men and creatine supplement use was associated with a positive eating disorder screen among women. The risk of a positive eating disorder screen was highest among men who reported use of five APEDS in their lifetime.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lifetime use of APEDS is associated with eating disorder symptomatology among a national sample of U.S. college and university students. Prevention and intervention efforts are needed to address the link between these potentially harmful behaviors.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

• Authors: Kyle T Ganson, Mitchell L Cunningham, Stuart B Murray, Jason M Nagata
• Journal: Eating and weight disorders : EWD (Eat Weight Disord) Vol. 27 Issue 6 Pg. 2245-2250 (Aug 2022) ISSN: 1590-1262 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 35066818 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Chemical References

• Performance-Enhancing Substances

Topics

• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Feeding and Eating Disorders (epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Performance-Enhancing Substances
• Students
• Universities
• Young Adult