A study of over 2,000 college students found that about 6% showed signs of eating disorder risk, with girls affected more than boys. Researchers discovered that students struggling with eating disorders were more likely to have problems with phone addiction, exercise addiction, and strict dieting habits. The study also found that these students tended to be more responsible but less emotionally stable than their peers. Understanding these connections could help colleges identify and support students who need help earlier.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether college students showing signs of eating disorders also struggle with phone addiction, exercise addiction, dieting, and emotional issues
  • Who participated: 2,006 college students aged 18-30 at a university in Spain. About 54% were likely female based on the gender breakdown of those at risk (7.9% women vs 2.9% men)
  • Key finding: Students at risk for eating disorders were nearly 9 times more likely to show signs of exercise addiction and over 5 times more likely to have phone-related problems. They were also 7 times more likely to be actively dieting
  • What it means for you: If you’re a college student, being aware of these connections might help you notice warning signs in yourself or friends. However, this study shows associations, not that one thing causes another—many factors influence eating disorders

The Research Details

Researchers surveyed 2,006 college students one time, asking them questions about their eating habits, phone use, exercise routines, and personality traits. This type of study, called a cross-sectional survey, takes a snapshot of a group at one moment in time rather than following people over months or years.

Students completed questionnaires measuring eating disorder risk using a standard 26-question test, exercise addiction using a specific inventory, and phone addiction using a validated questionnaire. They also answered questions about their dieting attempts, binge eating episodes, body satisfaction, and basic personality traits. The researchers then used statistical analysis to see which factors were most strongly connected to eating disorder risk.

This approach is useful for identifying patterns and connections between different behaviors, but it cannot prove that one thing causes another—only that they tend to occur together.

College is a vulnerable time for eating disorders because students face new stresses, independence, and social pressures. By studying a large group of college students at one university, researchers could see how common eating disorder risk is in this age group and what other behaviors or habits tend to go along with it. This information helps colleges and health professionals know what warning signs to watch for.

The study used well-established, validated questionnaires that have been tested and used in other research, which strengthens the reliability of the findings. The large sample size of over 2,000 students makes the results more trustworthy than a smaller study. However, because this is a snapshot study rather than following students over time, we can’t be certain about cause-and-effect relationships. Also, all participants were from one university in Spain, so results might differ in other countries or cultures.

What the Results Show

About 6 out of every 100 college students in the study showed signs of eating disorder risk. This was notably higher in women (about 8 out of 100) compared to men (about 3 out of 100). Students at risk for eating disorders had several things in common: they were more likely to struggle with phone addiction (over 5 times more likely), exercise addiction (nearly 9 times more likely), and they reported more binge eating episodes.

The study found that students at risk for eating disorders were more likely to be dieting—either successfully or unsuccessfully. In fact, students actively trying to diet were 7 times more likely to show eating disorder risk, while those who had tried unsuccessful diets were nearly 3 times more likely. Additionally, these students expressed a stronger desire to weigh less than they currently did.

Interestingly, students at risk for eating disorders scored higher on responsibility but lower on emotional stability. This suggests they might be harder on themselves and more prone to anxiety or mood changes. The combination of these personality traits, along with the addictive behaviors and dieting patterns, painted a picture of students under significant stress and self-pressure.

The study revealed that the desire to achieve a lower body weight was strongly connected to eating disorder risk—students wanting to weigh less were about 4 times more likely to show signs of eating disorders. Weight control behaviors beyond just dieting, such as other restrictive practices, were also nearly 3 times more common in at-risk students. The connection between problematic phone use and eating disorder risk was particularly strong, suggesting that excessive phone use might be both a sign of and contributor to psychological distress that manifests as disordered eating.

Previous research has shown that eating disorders are common in college-age populations, but this study adds important information about the role of behavioral addictions like phone and exercise addiction. While earlier studies focused mainly on dieting and body image, this research highlights that modern issues like phone addiction may be increasingly relevant to eating disorder risk in young adults. The gender difference found here (higher rates in women) aligns with most previous research on eating disorders.

The study only included students from one university in Spain, so results may not apply to college students in other countries or cultures with different values around body image and eating. Because the study was conducted at one point in time, we cannot determine whether phone addiction causes eating disorder risk or whether eating disorder risk leads to more phone use. The study relied on self-reported questionnaires, which means students might not have answered completely honestly about sensitive topics like eating or phone use. Additionally, the study cannot prove cause-and-effect—only that these factors are connected. Other unmeasured factors could explain why these behaviors occur together.

The Bottom Line

College students should be aware of the warning signs of eating disorders, especially if they notice themselves or friends becoming overly focused on dieting, exercising excessively, or spending excessive time on phones. If you’re concerned about your own eating habits or those of a friend, talking to a counselor or doctor is important. These findings suggest that monitoring multiple behaviors together—not just eating—might help identify students who need support. However, these recommendations should be discussed with healthcare providers, as individual situations vary greatly.

College students, especially women, should be aware of these findings since they’re at higher risk. Parents of college-age children might use this information to have conversations about stress management and healthy habits. College health centers and counselors should consider screening for phone and exercise addiction as potential warning signs of eating disorder risk. This research is less directly applicable to people outside the college age range, though some patterns may be relevant to teenagers approaching college age.

Changes in eating behaviors and phone use don’t happen overnight. If someone is concerned about eating disorder risk, improvements typically take weeks to months of consistent effort and professional support. Noticing warning signs early and seeking help quickly can prevent more serious problems from developing.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track three specific behaviors weekly: (1) number of dieting attempts or restrictive eating days, (2) minutes spent on phone use, and (3) exercise duration and intensity. Note any binge eating episodes. This multi-factor tracking can help identify patterns and whether these behaviors are increasing together.
  • Start by setting a realistic phone-free time each day (like 30 minutes before bed), establishing one regular meal you won’t restrict, and replacing excessive exercise with one enjoyable movement activity. Track these changes in the app to see progress over time.
  • Use the app to create a monthly dashboard showing trends in dieting attempts, phone use, exercise intensity, and mood. If you notice these behaviors increasing together, this is a signal to reach out to a counselor or healthcare provider. Set reminders to check in with yourself about emotional stability and stress levels, as the study found these are connected to eating disorder risk.

This research describes associations between eating disorder risk and other behaviors in college students but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. If you or someone you know is struggling with eating, exercise, or phone use, please consult with a healthcare provider, counselor, or contact an eating disorder helpline. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that require professional treatment. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice or treatment.