An American study has shown that the use of electronic cigarettes is associated with the risk of developing an eating disorder such as anorexia, binge eating or bulimia. Passeport Santé tells you more.
Vaping increases the risk of anorexia nervosa, binge eating and bulimia nervosa
In a study to be published next December in the journal Eating Behaviors, researchers reveal that the use of electronic cigarettes may be associated with a risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating problems and bulimia nervosa. To reach this conclusion, the researchers examined a sample of more than 51,000 American students through the Healthy Minds study which took place between 2018 and 2019.
According to the researchers, “ among a large sample of students, the use of vaping or e-cigarettes was associated with a lifetime diagnosis of a self-reported eating disorder and a high risk for an eating disorder “. In fact, according to study data, 19% of participants said they had used electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days, 3.7% reported having an eating disorder and 25% were considered to have an eating disorder. high risk of eating disorder.
But that’s not all. In a press release, Kyle Y. Ganson, lead author of the study, said, “ the higher prevalence of vaping in people with symptoms of eating disorders is of concern given that the co-occurrence of these behaviors can exacerbate health complications such as cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological problems “.
Researchers call for more prevention to fight against these behaviors
Faced with this finding and since electronic cigarettes are particularly popular with young people, researchers are calling for more prevention to fight against these behaviors. They call on young people affected by substance use and affected by eating problems to seek help from health professionals.
Moreover, they believe that doctors “ must screen young people for these disorders and substance use, especially during the pandemic ”, A period that was conducive to more regular vaping. Finally, the researchers recommend a stronger pedagogy with this category of the population by declaring that “ governments should continue to adopt policies that regulate e-cigarettes to protect the health of young people “.
