Binge-eating among female college students n New York has more that doubled in recent years. Many of these young women are away from home for the first time and are confronted with situations that result in high levels of stress. Their counterparts that are first time college students and stay at home are less likely to succumb to binge-eating. The research would suggest that the behavior of those students that are away from home and attending universities could lead to more serious eating disorders in the future.

At New York’s SUNY at Albany a study taken among those female students that had decided to leave home to attend collage showed a three fold increase in binging compared to those that stayed at home to further their studies. The student’s grades appeared to have no consequence in this study. Social acceptance, change in activity patterns and coping skills were areas of concern during the study.

Some of those students interviewed at SUNY Albany admitted that they never had to cook for themselves. This experience alone changes their eating pattern and could lead to binge-eating. Binge-eating is itself an eating disorder and if not addressed may lead to the more serious conditions of Bulimia or Anorexia or drug abuse. Any of these conditions could require an admission to an Eating Disorder Treatment Center.

Shame and Guilt often accompany these Eating Disorders making it difficult for the sufferer to admit to a problem. Family and friends must be cognizant of the pitfalls that these women face and be willing to address the situation when questionable behavior becomes apparent.