Compensatory Behaviors and Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

Disordered eating and exercise have been linked with alcohol consumption and alcohol related problems. Body image dissatisfaction has been associated with increased alcohol consumption and disordered eating. The present study aimed to explore disordered eating and exercise behaviors in response to alcohol consumption in college students by assessing the performance of a recently developed measure (Compensatory Eating and Behaviors Related to Alcohol Consumption Scale; CEBRACS) in a new sample. The study also examined the influence of body shape satisfaction on these relationships. Participants (n=574 undergraduate female students) completed online self-report surveys assessing their drinking, eating, and exercise habits, as well as their body shape satisfaction. The CEBRACS total score and all four of the factors (alcohol effects, bulimia, dietary restraint and exercise, and restriction) were correlated with the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Inventory, and all but the bulimia factor were correlated with the Daily Drinking Questionnaire. Regression analyses indicated that all four factors were predictive of amount of alcohol consumed and alcohol related problems, and the addition of body shape satisfaction into the model accounted for a significant amount of variance. Analyses exploring the role of body shape satisfaction as a moderator were not significant. Female undergraduates are engaging in compensatory behaviors related to alcohol consumption, and this is associated with greater alcohol consumption and alcohol related problems. Interventions should incorporate assessment and discussion of compensatory behaviors, body shape satisfaction, and alcohol consumption and related problems.