A new Japanese study has uncovered an unexpected connection between eating disorders and problem gambling among adult women.
Researchers found that a higher “drive for thinness” was linked to less severe gambling problems.
The authors called it a surprising result that challenges assumptions about how compulsive behaviors overlap.
Study on Gambling and Eating Disorders
Released in August 2025, the study found that the drive for thinness in Japanese women had an inverse association with problem gambling.
In other words, among adult women, those who score higher on drive for thinness tend to have less severe problem gambling behaviors. Meanwhile, women with less concern about thinness tend to have more severe problem gambling behaviors.
“No significant association was identified between binge eating and problem gambling, and surprisingly, drive for thinness exhibited a very weak inverse association with problem gambling,” the study found.
Eating disorders often co-occur with compulsive behaviors such as alcohol abuse, but less so with compulsive gambling.
According to the authors, this is the “first study to demonstrate a negative relationship between drive for thinness and the severity of problem gambling behaviors among adult women.”
Culture Could Help Explain Results
The study on eating disorders and gambling “advances the understanding of the co-occurrence between abnormal eating behaviors and attitudes (AEBs) and problem gambling,” the paper said.
Previous research found that adult women who engage in problem gambling are more likely to exhibit excessive dietary restraint or binge eating compared with the general female population.
“These results suggest that the relationship between AEBs and problem gambling among adult women is highly complex, likely influenced by various factors such as other AEBs, addictive behaviors, and psychological distress,” the paper said.
In addition, traditional cultural values in Japan may help explain the negative association between drive for thinness and problem gambling.
The authors noted that “gambling, particularly in Japan, is socially stigmatized.”
“Pachinko, one of the most common forms of gambling among individuals with gambling disorder, is predominantly played by men and has a very low participation rate among adult women. Therefore, women who engage in pachinko gambling may perceive it as damaging to their perceived femininity.”
U.S. Culture: Gambling & Eating Disorders
Society’s perception of gambling is much different in the U.S. than in Japan.
The U.S. has more forms of state-sanctioned gambling, including betting over the internet.
Online sports betting is legal in 30 states, and online casinos are legal in seven. Additionally, online lottery gambling is authorized in 10 states.
The U.S. has many other forms of gambling that cause harm to people.
It’s possible that a study using the same methodology conducted in the U.S. would yield different results. Still, it’s also possible that compulsive gambling would co-occur less frequently with eating disorders than with other behaviors like alcohol abuse or compulsive shopping.
“The results [of the Japanese study] suggest that some previous studies may have overestimated the links between eating disorders and addictive behaviors,” the paper said.
“At the same time, the co-occurrence of different types of eating disorders remains an important area for further study. This research highlights the complexity of these issues and the need for a more nuanced understanding to better support those affected.”
Eating disorders and gambling addiction are serious mental health issues, often underpinned by chronic stress. Seek help in your area if you are experiencing issues with either.
In an interesting development on gambling addiction treatment, researchers are looking at Ozempic’s potential use for gambling. However, off-label use of the weight management drug is discouraged, as it can worsen or lead to eating disorders for some people.
Related: Is Gambling Bad For Your Heart Health?
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