Skip to main content

Lower Number of Positive Childhood Experiences Tied to Eating Behaviors in College Students

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 28, 2023.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Nov. 28, 2023 -- A lower number of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) is associated with a higher prevalence of binge-eating disorder characteristics and lower scores for intuitive eating among college students, according to a study published in the December issue of Appetite.

Cynthia Yoon, from the University of Houston, and colleagues examined to what extent PCEs are associated with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating. The analysis included 828 college students surveyed in 2022 (54.5 percent female; mean age, 20.9 years).

The researchers found that PCEs were cumulatively associated with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating. Compared with those in the high PCEs category (9 to 10 PCEs), college students in the low PCEs category (0 to 4 PCEs) had 1.37 to 1.92 times the prevalence of binge-eating disorder characteristics and had a 3.89-point lower intuitive eating score. Intrapersonal PCE (i.e., feeling comfortable with oneself during childhood) was associated with both a lower prevalence of binge-eating disorder characteristics (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.56 to 0.76) and a higher score of intuitive eating (adjusted β = 1.87) when adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

"Achieving a comprehensive understanding of these intricate relationships holds the potential to shed light on the precise mechanisms through which childhood experiences shape eating behaviors," coauthor Craig Johnston, also from the University of Houston, said in a statement.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted November 2023

Read this next

BMI Cutoff of 30 for Obesity May Be Too High for Middle-Aged, Older Adults

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- The optimal body mass index (BMI) cutoff point appears to be 27 kg/m2 for detecting obesity in middle-aged and older adults, according to a study presented...

Emergency Inguinal Hernia Surgery Rates Increased With Lower Country Income

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- For patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, emergency surgery rates increase from high- to low-income countries, according to a study published online...

Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels Higher in Black Than White Women

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are higher in Black than White pregnant women, supporting the use of accounting for these differences in...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.