(Thumbnail Image: ABC News)

BY RICO BUSH AND JENNIFER LASK

A dangerous eating disorder plus a serious alcohol addiction-- it’s a troubling new phenomenon the media is calling Drunkorexia-- and health officials say it’s becoming a big problem on college campuses.

According to MSNBC, Drunkorexics restrict food intake in order to save the calories for alcohol. Health experts call the behavior dangerous and worrisome.

“When they’re off at college and they’re binge drinking in this way and they’re doing it on an empty stomach not only are we afraid of alcohol poisoning, but then all the things that go along with drinking alcohol and now the alcohol is much more potent so we’re talking about acting out sexually, we’re talking about passing out. So there’s a whole host of issues that come along with this.”  

But many students don’t see a reason to stop. A 22-year-old University of Texas Graduate tells ABC News...

"...I do know a lot of people who skip meals to drink, drink heavily, and don't gain any weight. Obviously their success in this way encourages others to try it ... I've done [drunkorexia] for years and I'm still healthy. And I'm skinny ... That's the best of both worlds to me, so it's not likely that I'll stop doing it any time soon."

A writer for DietBlog says the practice is no laughing matter. The uber-glamorized party lifestyle isn’t just unhealthy - it could be deadly.

“Over 1,400 18-24 year olds lose their lives each year due to alcohol-related injuries...Sadly many people have decided that they are not able to "have fun" without being intoxicated.”

Health workers say students are seriously compromising their health and harming their bodies   under the disguise of monitoring their weight. ABC’s Good Morning America reports binge-drinking is now a numbers game.

“What this comes down to is the math. If people are worried about their weight gain they know that alcohol has a lot of calories and its very calorie dense so what some people are doing, primarily women, is doing the math and figuring out ‘okay, if I’m going drink this much tonight then is how much i need to cut back from normal meals.’ The upshot is that these women may have one meal a day. There are rumors of a five-bite diet. So its really quite troubling.”

However, some students say there just isn't a way around Drunkorexia. A blogger for Collegecandy says a couple of calorie swaps is actually a good idea.

“Any college student’s diet is abnormal and worthy of attention on its own.... but those who are skimping snacks solely to stay under the recommended daily caloric intake after a few shots should not be diagnosed the same ... We’re in college, we’re going to drink, so we might as well be logical and somewhat healthier about it.”

Swapping food for booze-- is it reasonable calorie-counting? Or a serious problem?