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Research: Calories vs Cocktails: When Diet Culture Meets Binge Drinking

Drunkorexia is a concerning blend of disordered eating and alcohol misuse and is emerging as a significant issue among young women at university. Characterised by behaviours such as meal skipping, excessive exercise, or purging to compensate for alcohol calories, it is often driven by body image pressures and social drinking culture. Recent Australian research found that over 28% of female university students aged 18–24 engage in these behaviours, which are closely linked to underlying emotional challenges such as low self-control, emotional deprivation, and social isolation. This behaviour is not simply a lifestyle choice, it is often a coping mechanism that puts students at serious risk of alcohol poisoning, eating disorders, and poor mental health. Universities have a vital role to play by promoting body-positive culture, raising awareness of the risks, and encouraging regular physical activity as a healthy outlet.

Citation: Powell‐jones, A. & Simpson, S. Drunkorexia: An investigation of symptomatology and early maladaptive schemas within a female, young adult Australian population. Australian Psychologist, 2020. (link)

More Articles in Healthy Campus Projects

UniSport Successfully Hosts Healthy Campus Community of Practice Session On Student Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Forty-seven university representatives from across Australia and New Zealand came together online on Tuesday 28 July for the latest UniSport Healthy Campus Community of Practice, which explored practical ways to advance mental health and wellbeing through the FISU Healthy Campus program.   Mental health and wellbeing continue to be a key focus for universities globally, with […]

Research: The Push-Up Challenge Delivers More Than Fitness

Physical activity initiatives offer universities an opportunity to improve student wellbeing while encouraging conversations about mental health. The University of Melbourne evaluated The Push-Up Challenge, a national program combining a month-long physical activity challenge with daily mental health education, self-care messages and help-seeking information. Tracking more than 29,000 participants, the study found improvements in wellbeing, […]

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