College students often misuse prescription stimulants to improve academic performance; however, recent research suggests prescription stimulant misuse is also associated with eating disorder (ED) symptoms, as appetite suppression and weight loss are a common side effect.  As such, a recent study investigated if prescription stimulant misuse for appetite/weight-related reasons was uniquely associated with ED symptomatology.  Study participants included undergraduate students recruited from a nonclinical sample (n=668, 79% female).  Participants self-reported lifetime prescription stimulant misuse, motives, and ED symptomatology through an online survey.  Lifetime prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse was 20.5%, with motives including cognitive enhancement (90%), recreational (46%), and appetite/weight-related (22%).  Statistical analyses indicated that engaging in prescription stimulant misuse for weight-related purposes was associated with ED symptomatology, with the co-occurrence of both behaviors more common among students misusing prescription stimulants for weight-related purposes.

Take Away:  This study’s findings support that engaging in prescription stimulant misuse for appetite/weight-related reasons is a unique indicator of ED symptomatology.  Collegiate prevention efforts related to prescription stimulant misuse may consider discussing motives beyond cognitive enhancement, especially among those students at risk of an eating disorder.

 

Kilwein, T. M., Goodman, E. L., Looby, A., & De Young, K. P. (2016). Nonmedical prescription stimulant use for suppressing appetite and controlling body weight is uniquely associated with more severe eating disorder symptomatology. International Journal of Eating Disorders49(8), 813-816.