Are you dissatisfied with your body or have an intense fear of gaining weight? Do you over exercise, restrict calories or think about food all the time? Do you avoid eating around other people or feel that food has a power over you so that you can't stop eating even when you are full? If so, you may be part of the 24 million people in the United States who suffer from an eating disorder.

Exactly what is an eating disorder? Eating disorders are illnesses associated with disturbances in eating behavior, severe body image distortion and an obsession with weight. Those who suffer from an eating disorder are often terrified of gaining weight and continue to diet or binge and purge even as their mental and physical health deteriorate.

 Generally, there are 3 types of eating disorders:

• Anorexia Nervosa---Characterized by self starvation, excessive weight loss, fear of weight gain, feeling overweight despite considerable weight loss, refusal to maintain a healthy weight and in females, the cessation of menstrual periods.
• Bulimia Nervosa---Characterized by a cycle of binge eating (eating more food than most people would eat in one meal) and purging (vomiting, laxative abuse, overexercising, fasting).
• Binge Eating Disorder/Compulsive Overeating---Characterized by periods of uncontrolled or impulsive eating beyond feeling comfortably full and feelings of shame and/or self-hatred after a binge.

The adjustment to college life as well as the desire to continually fit in can make students susceptible to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. According to the National Eating Disorder Screening program, approximately 95% of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25, and the majority of those who have an eating disorder do not seek treatment, often due to a sense of shame and social stigma.

Below are some suggestions for talking with someone with eating issues:

• Avoid commenting on his/her looks; even compliments can fuel attempts to lose weight.
• Avoid discussing what, how or when he/she should eat, and never offer simplistic solutions such as "just eat" and "just don't vomit anymore".
• When communicating, use "I" statements. For example, you can say, "I am worried about you. Why don't you make an appointment to talk with someone?".
• Avoid labeling foods as good or bad, fatty or healthy.
• Challenge accepted social messages that promote images of thinness and perfection. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, check out our online screening option listed to the left, contact Counseling Services at X4526 or get more information at these websites:

National Eating Disorder Association: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc:  www.anred.com