Eating Disorder prevalence

Marian Eberly, a counselor at an American eating disorder clinic, estimates that approximately 25% of all college-age women are actively involved in eating disorder behaviour. This means that these students are placing their physical health at risk in order to try and lose weight. Naturally this will have an adverse effect on their ability to perform academically and may have repercussions on their emotional and social well-being as well.

Bulimia

It is thought that bulimia is the most prevalent eating disorder in American college campuses. Bulimia can take many forms and doesn't always involve self-induced vomiting as the method of purging. Some people may abuse laxatives, diet pills, or use excessive exercise to try and lose weight. Teenage and young adult females are at the most risk of developing an eating disorder.

Compulsive eating disorders

Eating disorders lead to a self-destructive pattern of behaviour that can lead to an overwhelming compulsion. Young women may find themselves falling into the full blown bulimia very quickly. What may start as an occasional attempt to try and control their weight escalates into an uncontrollable cycle of obsession and compulsion. This is especially true when the patient uses an eating disorder as a "coping mechanism" to try and deal with the stress of college life.

Help for eating disorders

If you are worried that a friend or family member might have some of the symptoms of an eating disorder then it is important that you try to help them. This is not a condition that can be expected to spontaneously remit and eating disorders can be fatal. Rather don't leave anything to chance. Talk to your friend and let him/her know that you genuinely care. Avoid using any sort of judgemental tone and just let them know that you're there to support them. You could suggest that he/she approaches a professional for help, but don't try and "police" the person - you'll find that this is not going to be productive.



Any person with an eating disorder is likely to be suffering. The sad truth is that unless professional help is sought to manage symptoms then an eating disorder is likely to just get worse and worse. There are many physical symptoms associated with eating disorders and is important that you draw attention to your friends plight. Very serious medical complications can arise if the eating disorder is left untreated.