Eating disorders and academic performance among college students. Issue 3 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Claydon, Elizabeth; Zullig, Keith J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 68:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 320
• Page End: 325
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- counseling -- mental health -- nutrition; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1549556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: Objective : There is a paucity of research exploring eating disorders (EDs) and academic performance (AP). This study aimed to understand the effect of ED treatment on AP, hypothesizing that students receiving treatment for EDs would have a higher GPA. Participants: The Spring 2010 – Spring 2011 National College Health Assessment data ( N = 231, 586) was utilized. Methods: Ordinal logistic regressions, controlling for key confounders, analyzed the association between those diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia and GPA. Results: Students diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia and treated with medication and psychotherapy were respectively 1.49 (1.24, 1.80; p < .0001) or 1.35 (1.13, 1.61; p = .0009) times more likely to have a higher GPA ( p < .0001) compared to students without EDs. Conclusion : Findings expand the literature on EDs and AP among college students. Additional research is needed to determine whether the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the most effective way to improve AP among students with EDs.