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

Prevalence of Skin Cancer Varies for Sexual Minority, Heterosexual Adults

FRIDAY, July 19, 2024 -- With respect to their lifetime prevalence of skin cancer, sexual minority (SM) adults differ across racial and ethnic groups and among males and females...

Concussions in Children Less Likely to Be Related to Sport

FRIDAY, July 19, 2024 -- For children aged 5 through 12 years with concussion, recreation-related concussion (RRC) and non-sport or recreation-related concussion (non-SRRC) occur...

Neighborhood Disadvantage Metrics Tied to Stress Genes in Prostate Cancer

FRIDAY, July 19, 2024 -- Expression of several stress-related genes in prostate tumors is elevated among men residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods, according to a study...

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.