Eating disorders among college students in China: prevalence, correlates, and its relationship with suicide risk

Eating disorders (EDs) are prevalent among college students and may lead to severe consequences. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of EDs among Chinese college students and to investigate the relationship between EDs and suicide risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 18,578 Chinese college students between October 17 and 29, 2023. Participants completed questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, EDs, depression, anxiety, and suicide risk. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with EDs in the total sample, as well as factors associated with suicide risk among participants with EDs. The prevalence of EDs was 13.6% among Chinese college students. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that body mass index, urban or town residence, left-behind experiences, maternal education at the senior high school level or above, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts were independent correlates of EDs. Among participants with EDs, 19.5% reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. Variables such as age, left-behind experiences, chronic physical illness, family history of mental disorders, depression, and anxiety were independently associated with suicide risk. EDs are prevalent among college populations and are associated with suicide risk. Therefore, it is imperative to specifically monitor suicide risk among individuals with EDs. Intervention strategies should focus on co-occurring depressive and anxiety symptoms to decrease suicidality in affected individuals. Eating disorders are prevalent among college students and are associated with severe adverse outcomes, including suicidality. This study examined the prevalence of eating disorders and their associated factors among Chinese college students. We surveyed 18,578 college students in China in October 2023. Results indicated that approximately 13.6% of the students had eating disorders. Students were more likely to have eating disorders if they had a high body mass index, urban residence, had left-behind experiences, maternal education of senior high school education or above, or had depression and anxiety. Furthermore, approximately 19.5% of students with eating disorders reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. These findings demonstrate that eating disorders and suicide risk often co-occur. Colleges should monitor suicide risk among students with eating disorders and provide interventions targeting depression and anxiety to ensure their safety.