The beginning of college and freshman year can trigger eating disorders due to all the vast changes and added stress. For the first time, many of the students are responsible for budgeting their money, completing their own errands, and managing their time. They are also spending a great deal of time with a new group of people and are adjusting to having nearly complete independence. While this may seem like a dream come true for most teens, all of these components together can cause a great deal of anxiety for some.

Almost all students discuss the dreaded term “freshman fifteen”, and while some may experience weight gain, the concept is a myth, although the thought of it can be the cause of even more stress and anxiety. In an effort to avoid these unwanted pounds, many students will engage in risky behaviors, such as crash dieting or excessive exercising, both of which are slippery slopes into an eating disorder.

Other students may have engaged in disordered eating behaviors before starting college, but have been living under the watchful eye of parents and unable to fully partake in their undesirable behaviors. Newfound freedom can offer the perfect opportunity for an eating disorder to fully develop. This, coupled with peers who may be engaging in, and/or even encouraging these behaviors, can be an unpleasant combination.

Although Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are the most common eating disorders, and what usually comes to mind when you think of eating disorders, Binge Eating Disorder may also be triggered at this time. Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by the uncontrolled eating of large amounts of food in a short period of time. These individuals experience discomfort, but do not purge. This causes weight gain, which is often upsetting, and sometimes for emotional comfort, they will turn to food, thus leading to another binge. The cycle can be very difficult to break, especially while dealing with all of these new stressors.

Eating disorders are a true physiological disease, with a biological
predisposition, which is why not all college students develop eating disorders and why not all diets lead to eating disorders. Of the 90% of college females on a diet, which may be considered disordered eating, approximately 20-25% progress to eating disorders. And, of those who do develop eating disorders, 1/10th of them are males.

Common signs of an eating disorder are:

• Preoccupation with counting calories and grams of fat, carbohydrates, and protein
• Weighing oneself multiple times a day
• Allowing weight to determine one’s mood
• Determining self worth based on weight
• Purging, skipping the next meal, or exercising to compensate for overeating
• Exercising to burn calories instead of doing it as a recreational activity
• Inability to stop once eating begins
• Hoarding food and/or eating in secret
• Feeling guilty after eating
• Constantly worrying about weight, food, body, etc.
• Taking diet pills or laxatives

It is important to get help if you need it, and it is equally as important to offer help to someone in your life who may be battling an eating disorder. Eating disorders are very serious, and can lead to long-term health problems if left untreated. If you, or someone you know, experiences any of these signs, get help from a therapist and dietitian. Most college campuses have counseling centers with professional who can help or get you the information you need to get help. It is also important to remember that eating disorders can be triggered by other things and during different times in one’s life as well. For example, marriage, pregnancy, and post-partum are all times when there are new stressors in a person’s life. Remember, it is never too late to develop an eating disorder, and it is never too soon to get help.