Binge Eating and Health Behaviors During Times of High and Low Stress Among First-year University Students

Abstract

The current study examined the influence of physical activity and sleep on binge eating during times of typically higher-and lower-stress over the academic year (n=394, Mage=18.6). First-year undergraduate students completed surveys of physical activity, sleep, and binge eating behaviors across four waves spanning the academic year. Results of multilevel models revealed relatively stable binge eating scores across the academic year. We found no robust associations between physical activity or sleep and binge eating during times of high and low stress. Small effects in this study, consistent with other non-clinical samples, highlight that eating behaviors are resistant to change.