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. 2009 May-Jun;57(6):603-9.
doi: 10.3200/JACH.57.6.603-610.

Calorie restriction on drinking days: an examination of drinking consequences among college students

Steven M Giles  1 , Heather Champion, Erin L Sutfin, Thomas P McCoy, Kim Wagoner
Affiliations

Calorie restriction on drinking days: an examination of drinking consequences among college students

Steven M Giles et al. J Am Coll Health. 2009 May-Jun.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the association between restricting calories on intended drinking days and drunkenness frequency and alcohol-related consequences among college students.

Participants: Participants included a random sample of 4,271 undergraduate college students from 10 universities.

Methods: Students completed a Web-based survey regarding their high-risk drinking behaviors and calorie restriction on intended drinking days.

Results: Thirty-nine percent of past 30-day drinkers reported restricting calories on days they planned to drink alcohol, of which 67% restricted because of weight concerns. Restricting calories on drinking days was associated with greater odds of getting drunk in a typical week. Women who restricted were more likely to report memory loss, being injured, being taken advantage of sexually, and having unprotected sex while drinking. Men were more likely to get into a physical fight.

Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of considering weight control behaviors in the examination of high-risk college drinking.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association of restricting food, fat or calories on days planning to drink alcohol and “did something I later regretted” (1+ times in past 30 days) for past 30 day female drinkers (N=1,673)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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