Eating Disorders

Body Image

Always thinking about what you will or won't eat? Worried you'll never be happy with your body? Know someone who worries about their body? Negative body image and eating disorders can affect people both physically and mentally. In some case, without help or treatment the results of it can be life threatening.

40% of female and 13% of male students will struggle with an eating disorder during their first four years of college.

An eating disorder is a disease that involves negative thoughts about issues including weight, food and eating habits. Eating disorders are a mental illness not just a personal choice. Thoughts can progress to the point of disrupting a person's normal life and normal body function. In most cases people who suffer from eating disorders need outside help to get over their sickness.

Warning Signs

Physical Warning Signs:

  • Significant loss of weight in short amount of time.
  • Taking very small portions at meals.
  • Dressing in layers or wearing baggy clothing. This is often a way of hiding body shape and weight loss.
  • Eating very high calorie meals then purging afterwards.
  • Unusual table behaviors such as:
    • Spreading food around on their plate so meals appear to be eaten.
    • Cutting food into very small pieces.
    • Spitting food out instead of swallowing it.
    • Putting food in napkin and disposing of it later.
    • Going to the restroom directly after eating, usually to vomit food before digestion takes place. Running water is also a sign of covering up vomiting while in the restroom
  • Excessive exercise. Exercising multiple times per day or for long durations of time
  • Exercising while sick or injured
  • Pale or grayish skin
  • Hair loss
  • "Chipmunk cheeks" (swollen glands due to vomiting)
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Bruising under the eyes and/ or on cheeks
  • Loss of menstrual cycle
  • Mood swings
  • Signs of depression

Other Warning Signs to Watch For:

  • Diet pills
  • Laxatives
  • Skipping meals
  • Cooking for groups of people but then not eating
  • Food stored in unusual places such as closets or under bed
  • Lists of foods eaten
  • Excessive attention to calories and fat food
  • Weight loss books and magazines
  • Weight loss sites stored in the web browser "favorites"
  • Conversational Warning Signs:
  • Always talking about being "fat" or scared of being "fat"
  • Constantly bringing up their weight
  • Counting calories or informing others about food contents
  • Complaining of diarrhea or constipation
  • Has a negative or distorted body image
  • Never satisfied in other areas of life (i.e. school, work)
  • Will not go out to eat
  • Uses excuses for not eating including, I'm not hungry, I already ate

Worried About a Friend?

If you are concerned about a friend who may have an eating disorder, you're not alone. The most important thing you need to do is remember that you cannot force someone to seek help, change their habits, or adjust their attitudes. Your friend or loved one needs to want help before they can seek it, the best thing you can do is show concern and provide support for them. Here are some steps to help you help your loved ones.

  • Learn as much as you can about eating disorders and negative body image so you can be a knowledgeable resource for your friend.
  • Know the difference between the facts and myths about weight, nutrition, and exercise. This will keep you from making inaccurate assumptions about what your friend may be using as an excuse to maintain their eating patterns.
  • Be honest. Try to speak openly and honestly about your concerns for the person. Let them know you're worried and care about them. Let them know you want to help and support them.
  • Be caring, but be firm. Your friend must be responsible of their own actions and the consequences of those actions. Avoid making promises, rules, expectations, or rules that you cannot uphold. For example "I promise not to tell anybody" or, "If you do this one more time I'm not going to talk to you again." These types of statements and promises only make bad situations worse and tougher to work through.
  • Compliment your friend's personality, successes, and accomplishments. Remind your friend that they are a great person and help them think less about the flaws that they see in their own body, be sure to remind them that "true beauty" is not only skin deep.
  • Be a good role model in the aspect of eating right, exercise, and personal body image.
  • Tell someone. Take action sooner rather then later, do not wait until your friend's health is at such a severe stage that causes them danger. Remember that your friend needs as much support and as many people to understand them as possible.