Eating Disorders

Due to the amount of changes and stress that college students face, these psychological stressors often take a toll on the students health-related practices. According to The National Eating Disorders Association (2013), "This is a period of development in which disordered eating is likely to arise, resurface or worsen for many young men and women".

Prevalence of Eating Disorders in College Students

In a College campus study, researchers found that "ED risk level in the participating students was high, with over 56% of students identified as being at high risk for ED onset or having a clinical/subclinical ED" (Fitzsimmons-Craft, 2019). However, with the prevalence of ED being so high, only about 20% or less are actively seeking or have received treatment.

“Transitioning into adulthood during the college years is a challenging time. The addition of a mental disorder and/or an eating disorder significantly impacts students’ academic success, productivity, risk of substance abuse, and social relationships”

(Hunts & Eisenberg, 2010).

Statistics

According to NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association, 2013)

Only 6% of students with disordered eating were inquired by a health professional

Total eating disorders in college have increased: 23 to 32% in women and 7.9 to 25% in males

Only 34% of students stated that their campus has peer advisers trained to refer individuals

References

Bergseth, R. M. (2016, March). Improving resident assistants knowledge about eating disorders on a ... Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/bitstream/handle/10365/25576/Improving%20Resident%20Assistants%20Knowledge%20About%20Eating%20Disorders%20on%20a%20College%20Campus.pdf?sequence=2

Eating Disorders on the College Campus. National Eating Disorders Association. (2022, August 19). Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., Karam, A. M., Monterubio, G. E., Taylor, C. B., & Wilfley, D. E. (2019, September 14). Screening for eating disorders on college campuses: A review of the recent literature - current psychiatry reports. SpringerLink. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11920-019-1093-1#citeas

Hunt, J., & Eisenberg, D. (2010). Mental health problems and help-seeking behavior among college students. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 46(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.08.008