We must eat on a daily basis in order to keep our bodies functioning efficiently. But sometimes we find it difficult to eat in ways that we know are healthy. Emotions, stress, and peer pressure can cause us to alter our eating habits in unhealthy ways. The result is an eating disturbance or disorder. An eating disturbance is a less severe form of an eating disorder.
Eating disturbances and disorders are common on college campuses. Although fewer than 5% of college students, primarily women, suffer from diagnosable eating disorders, an estimated 25% of students suffer from disordered eating patterns. Examples of eating disturbances or disordered eating patterns include restricting the number of calories or grams of fat ingested daily, intense overexercise, limiting oneself to only certain foods available on the meal plan, binge eating, or chronic dieting.
For more information, visit these sites:
Concise, easy to read basic information provided by the University of Victoria.
Defines Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Compulsive Overeating.
This site by Healthtouch provides general information and treatment information about eating disorders.
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People with eating disorders spend a lot of time thinking about eating, food, weight, and body image. They may count and recount calories in their meals, weigh themselves daily, or place themselves on severely restricted diets, regardless of their weight. They often "feel fat" when their weight is normal or abnormally low, or feel uncomfortable after consuming a normal size or small meal. They may eat compulsively.
People with eating disorders often categorize food as "good" or "bad" and make judgments about themselves based on how well they control what they eat. Believing that others are also judging them based on their control of food, they frequently feel anxious when eating in front of people. |
Check out these sites for more information:
Names mental and physical symptoms.
The Cycle/Predisposing Factors/Warning Signs and Symptoms/The Biology of Eating Disorders/Treatment and Diagnosis.
Lists of symptoms that may point to Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Compulsive Overeating.
Confusion, conflict, and concern about these issues can be overwhelming at times. Contact with campus resources can help you get focused and increase your ability to maintain or reestablish a healthy eating or exercise pattern.
A multi-disciplinary team of professionals is available to help anyone who is struggling with food issues or who has struggled in the past with an eating disorder. Eating disorders are complex psychological, social, and biological diseases which can be cured with professional assistance.
| Campus Resources for People with Eating Disorders | |
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SEED (Students Ending Eating Disturbances) 687-1861 confidential hotline, ongoing awareness and special events, mentoring program |
Student Primary Care Clinic 687-4500 or 687-2200 for appointments medical evaluation and treatment |
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Counseling and Psychiatric Services 687-6985 contact: Lucy Pugh, PhD free evaluation and short- or long-term counseling, medication management |
Health Education Services 687-8942 or 687-2387 contact: Carol Day, RN, CNS, MSN healthy eating plans, nutrition information and assessment |
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Georgetown University Hospital Department of Psychiatry-Eating Disorder Clinic 687-8609 evaluation, individual or group counseling, medication management |
Peer Education 687-8943 awareness, prevention, and outreach programs, library of printed materials |
| Off Campus Resources | |
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Overeaters Anonymous (202) 642-3437 |
American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, Inc. (202) 362-3009 |
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Foundation for Education About Eating Disorders P.O. Box 2871 Kensington, MD 20891 (301) 424-6044 |
Maryland Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia 6501 North Charles Street P.O. Box 6815 Baltimore, MD 21285 (410) 938-3000 x3199 |
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National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders P.O. Box 7 Highland Park, IL 60035 (708) 831-3438 |
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. P.O. Box 5102 Eugene, OR 97405 (503) 344-1144 |
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Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia 1 West 91st Street New York, NY 10024 (212) 595-3449 |
National Eating Disorder Organization 445 East Grandille Road Worthington, OH 43085 (614) 436-1112 |
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Online Resources Quoted text comes directly from the site listed. | |
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Getting Help
Advice from one who's recovering from an eating disorder on getting help. |
Ask the Dietitian
Q&A with Joanne Larsen, MS, RD. Look for "Anorexia" and "Bulimia" in alphabetical list of topics. |
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About Physical and Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders
From one who's recovering from an eating disorder about the relationships between abuse and eating disorders. |
Abuse-Related Psychological Resource
"Most of the links on these pages are either about abuse (whether it is sexual, physical, emotional, or ritual) or its effects (which vary widely but can include such things as depression, anxiety disorders, and dissociation)." |
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Newsgroup Links
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Alliance to Fight Eating Disorders
"Our mission is to empower individuals and society to eliminate eating disorders and their control through public awareness, education, action, and support." Includes links to more newsgroups and mailing lists. |
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Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Association
"Contained within this page is lots of in-depth information on eating disorders, the services we (and YOU!) can provide, and more." |
Remember, It Hurts Inside the Most...
A collection of letters from women and men who suffer from eating disorders. |
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See the Other Side
"Letters of encouragement from those in recovery or who have succeeded with it to those looking for the hope they need." |
Eating Disorder Links
By Catherine Sundnes. Grouped by subject, geographic region; contains links to online support and discussions ad well as articles, book lists and general information. |
What you can do to help:
The following sites provide information about helping someone who may have an eating disorder. Quoted text comes directly from the site listed.
"The number one thing you can do for someone suffering from Anorexia or Bulimia, or a combination
of the two... is to listen."
"Before you approach someone you suspect has an eating disorder, I would highly recommend that you educate yourself. Too many people believe that eating disorders are only about food and weight issues, when in reality, those are just the symptoms of underlying problems. Below is a list of some things to keep in mind when approaching someone."
"Do remember a person with an eating disorder is just that -- first, a person, and only secondarily one who has trouble with food."
"The strain of living with the eating disordered person can create divisions in the family. Each person involved will be affected by the sufferer's behaviour in different ways; but on the whole, feels confused, helpless, anxious, and even angry. All wonder how to approach the problem: what is the right thing to do for their loved one: how can one best cope with the situation."
"Family and friends often feel kinda lost on this, here are some links directly to pages made for you!"
Comments, stories, and quotes from those who suffer from eating disorders about how eating disorders can be prevented. Divided in four topics: Listen, Love, Communicate, Validate.
For information on Eating Disorders Awareness Week, contact:
Mission Statement
As Georgetown students we have been touched to some degree by the problem of eating disorders and disturbances on campus. Our goal is to improve the present situation, but as students we are not trained to treat eating disorders, rather we would like to focus on prevention. There are many women at Georgetown with whom we have spoken who feel that intense dieting and overexercising is normal. Our mission is to change this definition of "normal" at Georgetown.
Objectives
To prevent eating disorders and to promote understanding about eating disorders and treatment resources.
Programs
For general information about SEED, or if you're interested in getting involved, call Health Education's infoline at (202) 687-8943.
