Spring Break
The Daily OrangeNot eating before a big night out might be common for some students, but for others, it's the epidemic of drunkorexia
By Katie Papo
Posted: 4/3/08, 11:43 PM EST Section: News
"I would suggest that college students are at particularly high risk because binge drinking and the onset of eating disorders peak during the college years," Sanchez said. "I would think of the manifestations as the interaction between the behaviors such as exercising before drinking to save calories, as well as to look good."
Bergen-Cico said drunkorexia has been a problem for a while, although it has become more apparent recently, especially in the media.
"I think it seems to be a bit more extreme now," she said. "As much as people are rejecting some of the media culture, we do see that Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are out drinking, and it builds into some of the expectations."
Drunkorexia is often described as temporary behavior, but that does not mean the health risks do not exist.
"It increases the likelihood of alcohol poisoning if somebody is drinking on an empty stomach and restricting caloric intake," Bergen-Cico said.
There are also health risks that are important, especially for women, to watch out for, Bergen-Cico said.
"With high levels of intoxication, you are more likely to be a victim of all kinds of violent crimes including sexual assault. You're a target when you're that inebriated," she said. "You're also less likely to practice safe sex, to give consent or to be able to mentally and physically be present for what kind of pressure you might be engaging in."
The health risks involved are often present in both alcohol abuse and eating disorders, and it is important to learn about both, Sanchez said.
"Both lead to preventable deaths," she said. "I think the tragedy is that most often when these individuals present at clinic, only one of their troubled behaviors is discussed or treated."
Though there may be several causes of this behavior, there are also ways to help prevent it, Bergen-Cico said.
"One of the key things to keep in mind is to help people understand the risks and the things they can do to minimize risk," she said.
Bergen-Cico named some of these things as eating before going out to drink, eating while drinking, choosing not to drink or eating a more balanced diet during the week.
"If you're looking to give bits of advice, it would be to have people consider it a much more balanced approach to how they eat and plan their diet regularly and to realize the increased risk when they starve themselves to compensate the calories," she said.
kapapo@syr.edu
Bergen-Cico said drunkorexia has been a problem for a while, although it has become more apparent recently, especially in the media.
"I think it seems to be a bit more extreme now," she said. "As much as people are rejecting some of the media culture, we do see that Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are out drinking, and it builds into some of the expectations."
Drunkorexia is often described as temporary behavior, but that does not mean the health risks do not exist.
"It increases the likelihood of alcohol poisoning if somebody is drinking on an empty stomach and restricting caloric intake," Bergen-Cico said.
There are also health risks that are important, especially for women, to watch out for, Bergen-Cico said.
"With high levels of intoxication, you are more likely to be a victim of all kinds of violent crimes including sexual assault. You're a target when you're that inebriated," she said. "You're also less likely to practice safe sex, to give consent or to be able to mentally and physically be present for what kind of pressure you might be engaging in."
The health risks involved are often present in both alcohol abuse and eating disorders, and it is important to learn about both, Sanchez said.
"Both lead to preventable deaths," she said. "I think the tragedy is that most often when these individuals present at clinic, only one of their troubled behaviors is discussed or treated."
Though there may be several causes of this behavior, there are also ways to help prevent it, Bergen-Cico said.
"One of the key things to keep in mind is to help people understand the risks and the things they can do to minimize risk," she said.
Bergen-Cico named some of these things as eating before going out to drink, eating while drinking, choosing not to drink or eating a more balanced diet during the week.
"If you're looking to give bits of advice, it would be to have people consider it a much more balanced approach to how they eat and plan their diet regularly and to realize the increased risk when they starve themselves to compensate the calories," she said.
kapapo@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
CEDBlog
posted 4/08/08 @ 11:47 AM EST
There has been a recent onslaught of "-orexia" terms that aim to define behaviors associated with eating disorders. More of a cultural phenomenon than medical term, these "-orexia" words don't diagnose or treat an eating disorder, but they have brought to light issues that may otherwise be overlooked. (Continued…)
Post a Comment