Eating Concerns
Do you. . .
feel that others pressure you to be thin?
feel guilty about what you eat?
feel that your weight is one of the only things you can control?
feel you've become isolated from family and friends?
prefer to eat alone?
consume large amounts of food in a brief amount of time?
feel fat despite others telling you that you're not?
ever exercise excessively?
ever induce vomiting after eating or drinking?
count all the calories or fat in each bite of food?
often feel depressed and unhappy with yourself?
diet excessively?
use laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics each week?
weigh yourself daily?
If you answered YES to several of these questions, you may have a clinical eating disorder or some other form of disordered eating.
Who is at Risk for Eating Problems?
Many students, both male and female, have concerns about their eating, weight, body image, and exercise patterns. We live in a society that places an extremely high value on the achievement of physical “perfection,” and this often leads individuals to take drastic measures to change their physical appearance. Students who have a history of prolonged dieting or who are members of certain subcultures where weight may be restricted (e.g, runners, dancers, etc.) are particularly vulnerable to developing eating problems. Disordered eating and exercise behaviors place individuals at risk, both medically and psychologically.
Possible Symptoms:
- Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
- For females, loss of menstrual periods
- Unusual restriction of the types and amounts of food consumed
- Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging after meals
- Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
- Use of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Health Consequences:
- Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure
- Reduction of bone density
- Muscle loss and weakness
- Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness
- Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and possibly heart failure
- Potential for gastric rupture during periods of bingeing
- Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting
- Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during vomiting
Eating concerns range from mild problems with food and weight to serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that affect a person’s emotional and physical health. Regardless of where you may fall on this continuum, resources are available to help you sort out these issues. The earlier a person with an eating concern seeks treatment, the greater the likelihood of physical and emotional recovery.
How to Help a Friend. . .
If you are concerned that a friend may have an eating problem, please remember that help is available at the Counseling Center and the other resources listed on the next page. The following suggestions may also help you support your friend.
- Express your concerns in behavioral terms (e.g., “I’ve noticed you don’t come with us to meals anymore”).
- Don’t feel as if you need to solve the problem; focus on listening instead.
- Gently suggest counseling, and offer to accompany your friend to the first appointment.
- If your friend is not responsive and you remain concerned about him/her, consider speaking to an R.A. about your concern or consult with a counselor at the Counseling Center.
What Can You Do to Help Prevent Eating Disorders?
- Decide to avoid judging others and yourself on the basis of body weight or shape.
- Become a critical viewer of the media and its messages about self-esteem and body image.
- Send a strong message of acceptance in the way you talk about your own body and the way you approach food.
Campus Resources
Counseling Center
401 Schmitz Hall
(206) 543-1240
(short-term therapy and outreach presentations)
Hall Health Primary Care Center
Mental Health Clinic
(206) 543-5030
(individual & group therapy, medical evaluation)
The following resources contain useful information about eating disorders, chronic dieting, and body image. When you click on the links below, you will leave the University of Washington’s web page. The University does not manage or control web sites not owned by the University and is not responsible for content on such sites. We encourage you to evaluate the materials and use what you find helpful.
Local Resources
National Eating Disorders Association
603 Stewart Street, Suite 803
Seattle, WA 98101
1-800-931-2237 Information & Referral Line
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Web Resources
Eating Disorder Referral & Information Center
www.edreferral.com
National Eating Disorders Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Pale Reflections
www.pale-reflections.com
About-Face
www.about-face.org
Men and Eating Disorders
www.edap.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=285
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