Kathryn Gannon-Loew, MD, MS; Bradley Kerr, MS; Qianqian Zhao, MS; Jens Eickhoff, PhD; Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH
WMJ. 2026;125(4):451-456. Published November 1, 2026.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Disordered eating and alcohol use are common health risk behaviors among college students. Drinking motives and alcohol-related consequences may vary according to whether students experience body image concerns or engage in disordered eating behaviors. Little is known about these relationships among community college students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between disordered eating, drinking motives, and alcohol-related consequences among community college students who consume alcohol.
Methods: Community college students from 5 campuses in Washington and Wisconsin were recruited. Cross-sectional survey data were used to evaluate associations among body image concerns and disordered eating behaviors, drinking motives, and alcohol-related consequences.
Results: Among 181 participants, 82% were female, 78% were White, and the mean age was 22.9 years [SD, 3.2]. Participants who reported a fear of weight gain were more likely to drink alcohol to cope with anxiety (r = 0.17; P = .0280), depression (r = 0.17; P =.0214), and conformity-related motives (r = 0.17; P =.0264) than those without this fear. Similarly, participants who reported fasting had significantly higher motivation to drink alcohol to cope with anxiety (mean [SD], 9.47 [3.77] vs 8.16 [3.48]; P =.0369) and depression (mean [SD], 17.70 [10.36] vs 13.62 [6.86]; P =.0191). Participants who reported a fear of weight gain and those who engaged in fasting also experienced more alcohol-related consequences (r = 0.19, P =.0135 and mean [SD], 8.33 [5.01] vs 4.80 [5.10]; P =.0001), respectively).
Conclusions: Community college students who consume alcohol may benefit from targeted screening and intervention addressing the intersection of disordered eating, drinking motives, and alcohol-related consequences.