Use of diet pills and other dieting aids in a college population with high weight and shape concerns

Objective: The current study examines diet aid use among college women at risk for eating disorders and explores characteristics associated with diet aid use. Method: Participants were 484 college women <30 years from 6 universities in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF) and San Diego who were at risk for developing eating disorders. A checklist assessed diet pill, fat blocker, diuretic, laxative, and other diet aid use over the past 12 months. Results: Thirty-two percent of the college women reported using a diet aid. Diet aid use was double the rate in San Diego (44%) compared with SF (22%) (p = .000). Weight and shape concerns were higher among diet aid users than among nonusers across sites. Conclusion: A significant number of college women at risk for eating disorders are using diet aids. We recommend that clinicians inquire about diet aid use among college-aged patients.