Social media's idealized body images have fueled anxiety and the cult of thinness, especially among young women willing to risk their health. A alarming trend across the Channel, dubbed 'drunkorexia'—blending 'anorexia' and 'drunk'—affects around 60% of female students. It involves skipping meals before a night out to avoid calories from alcohol, such as 105 calories in a glass of white wine, 125 in a beer, or 160 in a mojito.
Nutritionist and eating disorder expert Rhiannon Lambert links this to society's obsession with body monitoring. 'Young professionals binge drink on weekends and starve themselves during the week,' she told The Independent. Drunkorexia represents an extreme measure to maintain a slim figure, the prevailing beauty ideal. Though not yet a recognized disorder, symptoms include meal-skipping, binge eating while intoxicated, and compensatory behaviors like excessive exercise. Dr. Sarah Jarvis from Drinkaware warns: 'Fasting before heavy drinking risks acute alcohol poisoning—causing dizziness, vomiting, and blackout. Regular practice harms the heart and liver, while skipping meals leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies since alcohol offers no nutrition.'
