Food restricted alcohol consumption: prevalence and motivators among Irish college students

Boyle, Susie and Kelly, Michelle E. (2025) Food restricted alcohol consumption: prevalence and motivators among Irish college students. Journal of Public Health. ISSN 21981833

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Aim: Food-restricted alcohol consumption (FRAC) is a growing concern across college campuses. Several studies have investigated the prevalence of these behaviours among college students internationally, but no such studies have been conducted in Ireland. The current study investigated the prevalence of FRAC and its motivators in an Irish student population and examined FRAC in relation to disordered eating and alcohol misuse. Gender differences between these factors were also assessed.

Method: A total of 178 participants completed online self-reported questionnaires assessing past-year FRAC, demographic characteristics, and levels of disordered eating and alcohol misuse.

Results: Fifty-four percent of participants engaged in FRAC to prevent weight gain and 50% engaged in FRAC to get drunk faster. Disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, binge eating, cognitive restraint and restricting were significantly associated with engagement with FRAC; however, alcohol misuse was not. More female students engaged in FRAC for both motivators than male students. Disordered eating was associated with engaging in FRAC more often, but alcohol misuse was not.

Conclusion: The current findings confirm the prevalence of FRAC and its relationship with disordered eating among Irish college students, particularly female individuals. Findings support the need for an increased focus on protective drinking behaviours of Irish college students, particularly for women. Routine screening of eating and drinking issues may decrease the extent of unfavourable consequences of FRAC.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Alcohol misuse; College students; Disordered eating; Drunkorexia; Food-restricted alcohol consumption
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine > Alchohol Use B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Body image
Divisions:	School of Business > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2025 11:03
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2025 11:03
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/8841

Actions (login required)

View Item