Image by daniellehelm via Flickr
February 25 through March 3 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This is part of a series of postings on the topic brought to you by SUNY Broome Counseling Services.
If you are concerned about a friend, family member or yourself… please reach out for help. Counseling Services is located in Student Services Building Room 210 or 778-5210. Off campus resources include: The Nutrition Clinic (877) 752-1007
The below is adapted from https://www.mirror-mirror.org/college.htm
Body Image in College
It is undeniable that there is a certain pressure on young people to look and act in a particular way. This pressure is definitely alive on college campuses. While body image pressure alone cannot cause a person to develop an eating disorder, it can act as a triggering external factor for individuals who are genetically predisposed to having one.
Many people are not even aware that they have an eating disorder because eating disorder behaviors can be accepted as normal on college campuses. This is especially true for young women, as there exists an accepted cultural bias for thinness. Dieting and cleansing are common practices and have been accepted as a social norm over eating a varied and balanced diet containing plenty of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
Even for students who realize that they have an eating disorder, it can be very difficult for them to seek help. Eating disorders have a strong psychological element, and can deceive the sufferer into feeling that they are dependent on the disordered eating behavior. The praise that some individuals receive for being underweight can also add to the problem and be a severe barrier to recovery.
Fear and shame are additional factors that make it hard for college students to seek treatment. Many people are scared to admit having an eating disorder because they fear rejection or feel embarrassed about it. College students in particular may avoid admitting that they have a problem for fear that they will be thrown out of college or placed in a mental institution. It should be noted that these illnesses do not only affect females, and males of college age are also known to develop them.
