Amanda B Bruening1, Marisol Perez2, Tara K Ohrt1. 1. Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, United States. 2. Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, United States. Electronic address: Marisol.Perez@asu.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research has highlighted a growing trend among young, adult women to initiate drug use for weight loss. With known suppressive effects on appetite, illicit stimulants (i.e., cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy) may be particularly attractive to college women, who are at elevated risk for increased body dissatisfaction and experimenting with extreme weight loss techniques. The current study examines the association between risk factors and symptomatology of eating disorders and illicit stimulant use (ISU). METHODS: A preliminary study was conducted on a nonclinical sample of 131 drug-using, college women (16- to 24-years old). Participants reported internalization of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behavior, and current drug use as well as corresponding weight-related motivation. RESULTS: There were 15.3% of women who reported drug use for weight-control purposes. Results showed women who reported drug use for weight control predominantly used illicit stimulants (70%), such as cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. Moreover, the odds of ISU were increased among women who engaged in laxative misuse. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a desire for weight control may be associated with ISU among college women. Women engaging in more extreme weight loss behaviors are at high risk for initiating and maintaining ISU for weight-related reasons.
OBJECTIVE: Research has highlighted a growing trend among young, adult women to initiate drug use for weight loss. With known suppressive effects on appetite, illicit stimulants (i.e., cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy) may be particularly attractive to college women, who are at elevated risk for increased body dissatisfaction and experimenting with extreme weight loss techniques. The current study examines the association between risk factors and symptomatology of eating disorders and illicit stimulant use (ISU). METHODS: A preliminary study was conducted on a nonclinical sample of 131 drug-using, college women (16- to 24-years old). Participants reported internalization of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behavior, and current drug use as well as corresponding weight-related motivation. RESULTS: There were 15.3% of women who reported drug use for weight-control purposes. Results showed women who reported drug use for weight control predominantly used illicit stimulants (70%), such as cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. Moreover, the odds of ISU were increased among women who engaged in laxative misuse. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a desire for weight control may be associated with ISU among college women. Women engaging in more extreme weight loss behaviors are at high risk for initiating and maintaining ISU for weight-related reasons.
Authors: Christina J Duval; Ane A Balkchyan; Ani Sarkisyan; Eric R Pedersen; Jason M Nagata; Talene Keshishian; Stuart B Murray Journal: Eat Weight Disord Date: 2022-02-24 Impact factor: 3.008
Authors: Lieselot L G Carrette; Cristina Corral; Brent Boomhower; Molly Brennan; Caitlin Crook; Clara Ortez; Kokila Shankar; Sierra Simpson; Lisa Maturin; Leah C Solberg Woods; Abraham A Palmer; Giordano de Guglielmo; Olivier George Journal: Front Behav Neurosci Date: 2022-03-03 Impact factor: 3.558