National Eating Disorder Awareness month: What you need to know as a college student

February is National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) month, and is more largely recognized at the end of the month with NEDA Week. This year, NEDA Week will take place from Feb. 20-26. 

The first NEDA Week was recognized in 2001, and it was organized by the National Eating Disorders Association, a non-profit organization devoted to the ongoing de-stigmatization of eating disorders. According to National Today, the goal of this week, and the month of February as a whole, has been for “health care providers, eating disorder professionals, social workers, and individuals [to] educate others about this mental health issue.”

Since its founding, supporters and advocates, who work to raise awareness for those struggling with eating disorders, have taken several initiatives not only to educate, but to promote a culture of body positivity and healthy eating habits. As mental and physical health often go hand in hand, it is essential to call attention to this issue so that individuals who are diagnosed with an eating disorder are able to seek appropriate treatment and live a happier, healthier life. 

As many as 30 million Americans struggle with eating disorders every day, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown that the number of individuals who have been diagnosed with eating disorders grew significantly throughout the past three years. 

Even without the burden of the pandemic, it is important to note that college students are particularly vulnerable to developing eating disorders. According to Eating Disorder Solutions, a treatment organization based in Texas, as many as 20% to 67% of college students in the United States report struggling with eating disorders, which will inherently impact their time in college as well as life beyond university. This staggering statistic can be majorly attributed to the notion that “transitioning into a new environment is exciting for young adults, but it also comes with stressors, challenges, and potentially life troubling events that could be triggers for eating disorders… it can be an anxiety-provoking experience, especially in residence halls where eating is such a public event.”

In addition to the inherent major life change that coincides with moving to college, studies have shown that the new routines and different levels of access to food that college students experience leave them at an even higher risk for developing an eating disorder. 

No matter where one attends college, the risk factors remain the same. With this in mind, it is important to know ways that students can help themselves or a loved one who may be developing or experiencing an eating disorder. Methods for intervention and treatment include but are certainly not limited to: going to therapy, developing an individual plan, working with a dietician, and educating oneself about eating disorders. 

While there are no upcoming events at Geneseo for NEDA month, there are resources available for anyone who may be seeking help for managing and treating eating disorders. The Health Center offers free counseling appointments, in which you may talk with an on-staff counselor or be referred to an outside provider. In addition, if eating disorders are triggered by the onset of academic stress or other mental health issues, students are encouraged to reach out to the Geneseo Pathways peer advocates, who will speak with students confidentially and offer support. If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, you are encouraged to use these services.