Factors Associated With Binge Eating Among Chinese University Students in Hong Kong

Abstract

Binge eating (BE), defined as uncontrolled overconsumption of food, is associated with poorer health status. We aimed to characterize the factors associated with BE among Chinese college students. University students from two universities in Hong Kong (n = 267) completed an anonymous online questionnaire that contained background questions, the Binge Eating Disorder Screener–7, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales–21 (DASS-21), and Adolescent Lifestyle Questionnaire (ALQ) between June and August 2022. Multiple logistic regression and two-sample independent t-test were conducted to test the association of study variables with BE. In this university sample, 36.8% of males and 21.4% of females were classified as engaging in BE in the last three months. BE was statistically significantly associated with higher body mass index (BMI), more depressive symptoms, and lower ALQ nutrition scores among males and lower BMI, more depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms among females. BE was significantly associated with various factors in both male and female university students in Hong Kong; thereby, university health promotion programs should include the management of BE. BE should be a prominent focus of health promotion interventions in conjunction with mental health promotion in the region.