Objectives : Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and Eating disorders (EDs) are known to co-occur. The present study examined the association between alcohol use and eating problems among female students in a nursing school college in Korea. Methods : A ...
Objectives : Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and Eating disorders (EDs) are known to co-occur. The present study examined the association between alcohol use and eating problems among female students in a nursing school college in Korea. Methods : A cross-sectional survey with young college women (n=117) in Seoul was conducted using self-administered questionnaires which consists of the Korean version of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-K), Korean version of Eating Attitude Test (KEAT-26) and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI). We assessed the frequency of excessive drinking and disordered eating attitudes. Pearson’ correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were per-formed to identify the related factors associated with harmful drinking. Results : 1) Excessive drinking (AUDIT-K≥8) was reported by 6% of participants. 2) AUDIT-K score was negatively associated with age of first drinking (Alcohol-s) and positively associated with total score on EAT (KEAT-T) and score on Bulimia & Food Preoccupation factor (KEAT-B). Score on Dieting factor (KEAT-D) was positively associated with BSI score. BSI score was positively associated with Age of regular drinking (Alcohol-R). 3) Early start of alcohol use and disordered eating attitude were found to be significant predictors of excessive alcohol use by multiple linear regression analysis. Conclusion : Results suggest that harmful alcohol use and disturbed eating attitudes are linked in young Korean women. The present study provides support for an association between AUDs and EDs. More studies are needed to understand the psychobiological mechanisms of this comorbidity, and to develop treatments for individuals with comorbid AUDs and EDs. It is necessary to give more attention to early start of alcohol use which contributes to excessive drinking.