Frequency and associated predictors of screening for eating disorders and obesity in female students in college health centers

Screening for obesity and eating disorders (EDs) offers a pathway to treatment. The current study surveyed U.S. college healthcare providers regarding screening for obesity and EDs. Providers (n = 1,159) from a nationally-representative sample of 384 college health centers. Providers completed surveys regarding obesity and ED screening practices and beliefs. Provider-level and organizational-level factors were examined as predictors of screening frequency. Providers reported screening larger percentages of female students for obesity (70%) than EDs (30%) and were more likely to report a center-wide policy to screen for obesity (59.1%) than EDs (33.9%). Providers reporting a routine screening policy predicted screening frequency in both obesity and EDs. Most providers believed screening for obesity (75.6%) and EDs (82.5%) was a good idea. Obesity is screened for more often than EDs in college health centers. Understanding screening barriers will be beneficial in connecting students with obesity and/or EDs to care.