Sexual assault predicts unhealthy weight management among college women: A longitudinal, prospective study

Objective: To examine whether sexual assault prospectively predicts unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women. Method: Participants were female college students (N = 483) with monthly assessments across the first year, including the frequency and severity of sexual assault and unhealthy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American college health 2024-10, Vol.72 (7), p.2014-2021
Main Authors: McGarrity, Larissa A., Shepardson, Robyn L., Carey, Kate B., Carey, Michael P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Anxiety disorders
Assaults
Behavior
Body Composition
Body Mass Index
College students
College women
Diet
Dieting
Eating disorders
Ethnicity
Feeding and Eating Disorders - psychology
Female
First year
Health Behavior
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Prevention programs
Prospective Studies
Purging
Race
Scientific Concepts
Severity
Sex crimes
Sex Offenses - psychology
Sex Offenses - statistics & numerical data
Sexual Abuse
sexual assault
Socioeconomic status
Students - psychology
Students - statistics & numerical data
Universities
Weight control
Weight loss
weight management
Women
Womens health
Young Adult
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Summary:Objective: To examine whether sexual assault prospectively predicts unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women. Method: Participants were female college students (N = 483) with monthly assessments across the first year, including the frequency and severity of sexual assault and unhealthy weight management behaviors. Results: Frequency of sexual assault prior to college predicted dieting, purging, and diet pill use, over the first year. Severity of those experiences predicted dieting and diet pill use. Frequency of sexual assault during the first semester predicted purging and diet pill use during the second semester. Severity predicted all three unhealthy weight management behaviors. Findings held consistently when controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and pre-college mood, anxiety, and eating disorders, as well as unhealthy weight management behaviors during the first semester in longitudinal analyses. Reverse models were non-significant. Conclusions: This research documents the detrimental effects of sexual assault on unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women, and highlights the importance of prevention and intervention.
ISSN:0744-8481
1940-3208
1940-3208
DOI:10.1080/07448481.2022.2100707