Hazardous drinking and weight-conscious drinking behaviors in a sample of college students and college student athletes

ABSTRACTBackground: “Weight-conscious drinking” refers to behaviors to restrict calories in conjunction with consuming alcohol and is associated with numerous negative consequences. This behavior has been observed in the college student population but has not been examined among college student athletes. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed drinking, hazardous drinking levels (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—Consumption [AUDIT-C] sum score), and weight-conscious drinking behaviors (for weight loss purposes and for intoxication purposes) using a paper-and-pencil survey that was completed by students at a large, private university in the Southwest United States. The sample for this study included college student nonathletes (n = 482; 212 males and 270 females) who completed the survey in 1 of 34 classes and college student athletes (n = 201; 79 males and 122 females) who completed the survey during practice. These analyses examined whether hazardous drinking level and other personal covari...