E-cigarettes are associated with an increased risk of developing an eating disorder in young people, from anorexia to bulimia.
- Participants who reported being diagnosed with an eating disorder were more likely to use e-cigarettes.
- Vaping and eating disorders can exacerbate physical health complications such as cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological problems.
The use of electronic cigarettes is not without health consequences. In a recent study, published on September 11 in the journal Eating BehaviorsAmerican researchers have suggested that this leads to an increased risk of developing an eating disorder in young adults.
Exacerbated complications
For the study, the authors looked at a sample of over 51,000 American college students across the study. Healthy Minds which took place between 2018 and 2019. Among them, 19% said they had used electronic cigarettes in the last 30 days and 3.7% said they suffered from an eating disorder, of which one in four was considered to be were at high risk for an eating disorder. This refers to a situation of anorexia nervosa, binge eating problems or even bulimia nervosa.
Researchers also found that participants who reported being diagnosed with an eating disorder were more likely to use e-cigarettes. “The higher prevalence of vaping among people with symptoms of eating disorders is concerning given that it can exacerbate physical health complications such as cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological problems”, continues Kyle T. Ganson, researcher at the University of Toronto and lead author of the study.
From vaping to nicotine
The researchers also found that most vapers use nicotine vaping, especially in connection with eating disorders. “Nicotine vaping can be used by individuals to support behaviors and goals related to eating disorders, such as suppressing appetite and catalyzing weight lossbelieves Kyle Ganson. Nicotine vaping can lead to addiction and future polysubstance use.”
These findings are particularly important as eating disorders and substance use disorders have increased during the pandemic. “Young people who have problems with eating or substance use should seek help from a healthcare professionalunderlines Jason M. Nagata, co-author of the study. Clinicians need to screen young people for eating disorders and substance use, especially during the pandemic.”
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