siuDE.com

In light of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, it seems appropriate to take the time to clear up some of the misconceptions about eating disorders and disordered eating, which abound on a college campus.

Most articles about eating disorders might begin with some statistics, such as the facts that nearly 20 percent of college freshmen have some type of disordered eating, 78 percent of college females have reported binge eating. Eating disorders are on the rise among male college students with 1 to 7 percent reporting disordered eating.

These articles might also wax on about the different types of eating disorders, although most of us are familiar with them.

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by fear of gaining weight, refusal to maintain a normal weight and a disturbed perception of body shape and size.

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by binge eating and compensatory behaviors aimed at preventing weight gain.

Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified is given for eating disorders that do not meet the stringent criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

Contrarily, this article will instead attempt to provide practical knowledge about eating disorders that may be useful for the average SIU student.

For instance, the development of an eating disorder is not a choice. It is a serious mental health issue.

While the popular press might lead us to believe otherwise through endless media depictions of celebrities with eating disorders, these disorders are no more preventable than the development of other mental health conditions such as depression or even physical health conditions like diabetes.

Similarly, recovering from an eating disorder is not an issue of will and discipline but rather an issue of receiving sound mental health treatment and support. Encouraging a friend to "just eat" does not begin to address the complexity of an eating disorder and ultimately will not help someone to recover.

What may be of help is expressing your concern and accompanying your friend to the Counseling Center for professional help.

While some may think that the eating disorder itself is the problem for someone with an eating issue, in fact, eating disorders are a symptom of underlying stress or distress. The eating disorder itself is merely one way an individual may cope with other life difficulties.

In order to help with the recognition and prevention of eating disorders, the following are some tips for creating a healthy campus community in which healthy lifestyle choices and healthy resistance to unrealistic cultural messages are key:

•Be a model of healthy self-esteem and body image. Recognize that others pay attention to how you talk about your body. Refuse to say negative things about your appearance.

•Compliment your friends on things other than their appearance.

•Challenge false beliefs that thinness and weight loss are great, while body fat and weight gain are bad.

•Become a critical media viewer. Recognize when you hear or see something that promotes unhealthy body image.

•Decorate with care, avoiding unrealistic images of the feminine form.

•Choose your magazines carefully. Remember that fashion magazines are a big culprit in causing women to feel ashamed and depressed about their bodies.

•Say no to diets. Dieting is ineffective and damaging to the body.

•Open your mind to the idea that food and eating can provide positive, healthy experiences.

•Find ways to celebrate and nurture yourself that do not involve food.

•Create power through numbers: Connect with other students who feel as you do, that all people should be valued for their intellect, sense of humor or compassion, rather than their appearance.

•Know your resources, like the Counseling Center on campus. Call 453-5371.

During this week in which we are asked to increase our awareness of eating disorders, let's remember the power we all have to enact positive change on our campus. If you do recognize that you or a friend has difficulties with food or body image that are negatively impacting your life, seek professional help.

Article Tools