The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), has reported that about 11 million Americans suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

According to an April 30 article by Leslie Presnall, a staff writer with The Daily Reveille (the student newspaper of Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge), nearly one in five college-aged students reports having suffered from an eating disorder:

Julie Hupperich, Student Health Center associate director, said eating disorders can begin at any age, but there are certain risk factors for college students. "There are additional pressures on them," she said. "It's just being under high stress, and an eating disorder is a coping mechanism."

Hupperich said stress will trigger a disorder, or symptoms will escalate during times of stress. She said certain students in subcategories on campus are at higher risk. "It's been shown that particular majors are at risk, like dance majors and female athletes," she said. "And Greek organizations seem to be at greater risks."

A number of experts have argued that the prevalence of media images of unhealthy body shapes has contributed to the development of eating disorders among college students.

Labels: college_students, eating disorders

Posted By: Aspen/CRC