Eating Disorder Symptoms Among College Students: Prevalence, Persistence, Correlates, and Treatment-Seeking

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence, correlates, persistence, and treatment-seeking related to symptoms of eating disorders (EDs) in a random sample of college students. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of students at a large university were recruited for an Internet survey in Fall 2005 and a follow-up survey in Fall 2007. METHODS: ED symptoms were measured using the SCOFF screen and adjusted for nonresponse using administrative data and a nonresponse survey. RESULTS: 2,822 (56%) students completed the baseline survey. Among undergraduates the prevalence of positive screens was 13.5% for women and 3.6% for men. Among students with positive screens, 20% had received past-year mental health treatment. In the follow-up sample (N = 753), ED symptoms at baseline significantly predicted symptoms 2 years later. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of EDs were prevalent and persistent among college students in this study. These findings suggest that brief screens can identify a large number of students with untreated EDs.