title: Predictors of initiation and persistence of recurrent binge eating and inappropriate weight compensatory behaviors in college men.
abstract: The transition to college is considered as a risk period for the development of behavioral symptoms of eating disorders (BSEDs) and some evidence suggests that, amongst men, these symptoms occurring on a regular basis remain relatively stable over the college period. Nevertheless, little is known about factors associated with persistent engagement in and initiation of recurrent (or regular) binge eating and inappropriate weight compensatory behaviors in this population. The objective of this report was to address these research gaps.
  
  
  
  Data were examined from 2,555 male first-year college students who completed an assessment of potential vulnerability factors and BSEDs at the beginning of the autumn semester (baseline) and nine months later (end of the spring semester; follow-up).
  
  
  
  Elevated negative affectivity, body dissatisfaction, self-objectification, and lower self-esteem at baseline were predictive of persistent engagement in regular binge eating and four compensatory behaviors (self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic abuse, fasting, exercise) at follow-up, as well as initiation of all these behaviors occurring regularly (i.e., at least weekly for 3 months). Self-objectification (thinking and monitoring the body's outward appearance from a third-person perspective) emerged as the largest contributor of both the initiation and persistence of all behavioral symptoms.
  
  
  
  Data emphasize that the same psychological factors underlie initiation and persistence of recurrent BSEDs and should shape the focus of future interventions for college men. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:581-590).
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.|Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dakanalis
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caslini
authors.affiliation: Centre for Integrated Research, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.|Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Santino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaudio
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Catholic University, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serino
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Catholic University, Milan, Italy.|Applied Technology for Neuropsychology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.|Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College of London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrà
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D004232:Diuretics; D004644:Emotions; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005215:Fasting; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D014839:Vomiting / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D054368:Laxatives
keywords: binge eating; compensatory behaviors; maintenance; men; risk factors