Media 2007

• Are you dissatisfied with your body or have an intense fear of gaining weight?
• Do you over-exercise, restrict calories or think about food all the time?
• Do you avoid eating around other people, or feel that food has a power over you so that you can’t stop eating even when you are full?

Don’t continue these unhealthy routines. If you are concerned about your eating habits, or those of a friend, you may find it helpful to talk to someone at your college’s counseling or health center. As part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 25-March 3, 2007, colleges across the country will offer anonymous screenings for eating disorders as well as information on how to stop letting food, weight and calories control your life.

“Adjusting to college life can be difficult for many and the desire to fit in can make students susceptible to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. 95% of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25 and the majority of those who have an eating disorder don’t seek treatment. The goal of the screening event is to reduce the stigma attached to eating disorders and let students know that help is available,” says Douglas Jacobs, MD, President and CEO of Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH), the nonprofit that sponsors the National Eating Disorders Screening Program.

Even those who do not have a diagnosable eating disorder can benefit from this program. Food concerns, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem can keep a student from achieving at school or sports and hinders social activities like dating or being with friends. This program offers education and screening to help students stop unhealthy eating habits before they evolve into full-blown eating disorders.

Studies indicate that incidents of bulimia may be as high as 15% in college-aged women. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging, dissatisfaction with body shape and size, and fear of gaining weight. Other eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Anorexia involves an intense fear of gaining weight and self-starvation. Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binges when the person feels out of control and eats a large amount of food at one sitting. In contrast to bulimia, binge eaters do not purge their body of the food.

As part of the screening program, students will complete a written self-assessment and have the opportunity to talk privately with a health professional about their screening results. If appropriate, students may be referred to the counseling center for a complete evaluation.

The National Eating Disorders Screening Program (NEDSP) is a program of the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, Inc. NEDSP is being held at colleges nationwide in conjunction with Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 25-March 3, 2007. Click here for more information.

                                                   ###