Around 50% of first-year college students report binge drinking when consuming alcohol. High-risk drinking behaviors, like binge drinking, are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among college students. Another high risk drinking behavior is drunkorexia which is the co-occurrence of alcohol misuse and inappropriate compensatory behaviors like excessive physical activity and purging to avoid gaining weight and to enhance the effects of alcohol. The timing of physical activity in relation to drinking may impact the effect the alcohol has on the individual . This study examines differences in physical activity intensity between preemptive and non-preemptive physical activity and its relation to alcohol consumption among drunkorexia-positive college students.  

The study’ sample consisted of 127 first-year college students who were considered to be drunkorexia positive. Participants completed a survey that assessed alcohol consumption during the past four weeks, binge drinking, daily alcohol use, and frequency of alcohol related behaviors indicative of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Drunkorexia was assessed using various surveys that examined drunkorexia motives and behaviors. Lastly, respondents were asked to report timing of physical activity during the past week and intensity of activity (sitting, walking, moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA)). Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA to determine if physical activity intensity differed between drunkorexia-positive students by physical activity timing (preemptive or non-preemptive).  

Results of the data analysis showed that 53 participants were preemptively physically active and 74 were non-preemptively physically active. The preemptive group consumed more alcohol on Friday and Saturday compared to the non-preemptive group. The preemptive group also reported more binge drinking on Friday (30.2% vs. 2.7%). The preemptive group engaged in greater amounts of physical activity as compared to the non-preemptive group. No differences were noted among male timing groups regarding any physical activity intensity. However, among females, preemptive participants reported more VPA and MPA compared to non-preemptive participants  

Takeaway: Understanding behaviors and motivations surrounding drunkorexia may help to predict and prevent adverse alcohol-related outcomes among college students.  

Booker, R., Galloway, R., Novik, M., Jones, R., Holmes, M.E.. Differences between preemptive and non-preemptive physical activity among ‘drunkorexia’-positive college students [published online ahead of print, 2022 Nov 3]. Journal of American College Health. 2022;1-5. doi:10.1080/07448481.2022.2136973