Prevalence of eating disorders risk behavior and “low-carb” diet in university students

ABSTRACT Objectives To identify the presence of binge eating associated or not with compensatory practices in low-carb dieters. Methods Binge Eating Scale (BES) and Hay Questionnaire were used in order to assess the frequency of binge eating and compensatory practices, in addition to a frequency questionnaire for the consumption of chocolate, bread and rice. A scale of 1-8 points assessed the carbohydrate restriction intensity, and participants were divided into groups (i) low-carb diet and (ii) control. Comparisons between groups were part of the analysis, as well as correlations between variables of interest per diet group (p < 0.05). Results Participants were a total of 853 university students, in which 75.97% were women with an average of 22.04 years old (SD = 3.33) and an average BMI of 23.56 kg/m2, (SD = 4.38). From the aforementioned total, 214 had a low-carb diet, and 639 did not. The prevalence of a high score suggestive of binge eating without compensatory practices was 17.94% (n = 153), while the presence of binge eating associated with compensation was 2.23% (n = 19). As for the diet group, 35.05% (n = 75) also performed intermittent fasting. The diet group reached higher values for ECAP and BMI, and lower for frequency of consumption of rice and bread. Furthermore, ECAP scores correlated positively with chocolate consumption (r = + 0.14; p = 0.0377) and BMI values (r = + 0.19; p = 0.0042), whereas carbohydrate restriction showed negative correlation with chocolate consumption (r = - 0.13; p = 0.041); French bread (r = - 0.20; p = 0.0024) and rice (r = - 0.36; p = <0.0001). Conclusions We highlight the high prevalence of diet practice (25.09%), and the higher levels of binge eating in this group, as well as the lower consumption of rice and bread compared to those who did not diet.

摘要
研究目的 旨在识别低碳水饮食者中，伴或不伴代偿行为的暴食行为发生情况。
研究方法 本研究采用暴食量表（Binge Eating Scale, BES）与Hay问卷，评估暴食及代偿行为的发生频率，同时辅以巧克力、面包与大米摄入频率调查问卷。采用1~8分的量表对碳水化合物限制强度进行评分，并将受试者分为（i）低碳水饮食组与（ii）对照组。分析过程包含组间比较，以及各饮食组内目标变量间的相关性检验（检验水准设为p < 0.05）。
研究结果 本次研究共纳入853名大学生，其中75.97%为女性，平均年龄为22.04岁（标准差SD=3.33），平均身体质量指数（Body Mass Index, BMI）为23.56 kg/m²（SD=4.38）。其中214名受试者属于低碳水饮食组，剩余639名为非饮食组。无代偿行为的暴食高风险检出率为17.94%（n=153），伴代偿行为的暴食检出率为2.23%（n=19）。在饮食组中，35.05%（n=75）同时采取间歇性禁食（intermittent fasting）。饮食组的ECAP评分与BMI均更高，而大米与面包的摄入频率更低。此外，ECAP评分与巧克力摄入呈正相关（r=+0.14；p=0.0377），与BMI呈正相关（r=+0.19；p=0.0042）；而碳水化合物限制程度与巧克力摄入呈负相关（r=-0.13；p=0.041）、与法式面包（French bread）呈负相关（r=-0.20；p=0.0024），与大米摄入呈负相关（r=-0.36；p<0.0001）。
研究结论 本研究指出，低碳水饮食的实践率达25.09%，该群体的暴食检出水平更高，且大米与面包的摄入频率显著低于非饮食组。