Written by: Samaira Tohin
Edited by: Shruti Shaji
College is often seen as a time of self discovery and newfound independence. While this new freedom can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming. Many students have trouble navigating that independence when balancing it with academic pressure and social expectations. All these stressors can leave students struggling to cope in healthy ways. Sometimes they can combine to create conditions that trigger or worsen an eating disorder. The median age of onset is 18 for anorexia and bulimia, and 21 for binge eating disorder, which is the age range for a typical college student (Hudson et al., 2007).
How are these eating disorders triggered? At the start of college, students are introduced to the convenience and accessibility of unlimited dining halls. With so many choices and no restrictions on portion size, this can lead to them having difficulty controlling their intake of food. In addition to that, many students are truly on their own for the first time. This independence gives them the free will to eat whenever they want without parental guidance or regular meal schedules. As a result, students are susceptible to bulimic (binge-eating) patterns (Jacobson, 2023). The new eating habits lead to the fear of “freshman 15”, the popular belief that college students gain 15 pounds during their freshman year (Mihalopoulos et al., 2008). This fear is often perpetuated by the social pressure to maintain an ideal body image. These binging patterns can lead to feelings of regret, possibly resulting in purging habits to get rid of the excess weight and undo their behavior. The disordered eating habits become an eating disorder when the habits remain consistent and unaddressed.
Another factor that can lead to the development of an eating disorder is the pressures that come with college. This period of transition often brings academic demands that are worse than that of high school. The new additions include more rigorous coursework, the stress of internships, extracurriculars, and more. Additionally, financial problems can accumulate due to tuition and housing costs. On top of that, students are tasked with making life choices regarding their career paths (Michel, 2024). Students can feel overwhelmed by these new responsibilities. In response, they may lose control of their routines and resort to disordered eating behaviors as a way to cope with these new stressors or regain a sense of control, which could ultimately lead to the development of an eating disorder.
How can students start a recovery process? How can they prevent a disorder from happening in the first place? It is essential to have a support system. College can feel isolating since one is away from their hometown. Staying connected with family and friends can help ease the stress one is going through. In addition, college campuses offer mental health resources such as counseling services and peer support groups that students can take advantage of. Another important practice is to focus on self-care and mental health. As established, college life can be hectic, so setting aside time for yourself is important. Some methods that can be practiced include journaling, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques. By utilizing these methods, students can more effectively mitigate the risks of obtaining an eating disorder and maintain their overall well-being during college.
References
Hudson, J. I., Hiripi, E., Pope, H. G., Jr, & Kessler, R. C. (2007). The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 61(3), 348–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.03.040
Jacobson, R. (2023, November 6). College students and eating disorders. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/eating-disorders-and-college/
Michel, A. (2024, June 21). Eating disorders in college students. The Emily Program. https://emilyprogram.com/blog/eating-disorders-in-college-students/
Mihalopoulos, N. L., Auinger, P., & Klein, J. D. (2008). The Freshman 15: Is it real?. Journal of American College Health, 56(5), 531–533. https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.56.5.531-534
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