College students struggle with body image; some go to extreme

By Erica Aceret

Some college students are bombarded on a daily basis by the pressure not only to do great, but to look great. When combined, these pressures can lead to eating disorders.

Ninety one percent of women recently surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting. Twenty-two percent dieted “often” or “always,” and 35 percent of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20 to 25 percent progress to partial- or full-syndrome eating disorders, according to the National Eating Disorders Association.

Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males, according to the National Eating Disorders Association.

“College is a very stressful time, full of new responsibilities, new friends and a completely new environment,” Justine Karduck, nutrition education coordinator at McKinley Health Center said. “It can be very frightening, lonely and confusing, and there is a lot of pressure to fit in socially.”

Peer pressure, the media and academics are factors that may cause students to be susceptible to low self-esteem and stress.

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“You see a lot more people here than you do at home,” said Emily Berkowitz, freshman in LAS. “If you see a girl with a great body and all the attention she gets, you want to look like her.”

When pressures build up, some people turn to food as a way to block out other stressors, Karduck said. Others may turn to compulsive eating to deal with the pressures and emotions they are facing, she added.

Although these pressures may cause eating disorders, a student’s state of mind is another important factor.

“College is potentially a high-risk time for anyone,” said Connie Langellier, clinical counselor at the Counseling Center. “It depends on how solid your core sense of self is before you get here. There are many factors that go into eating disorders.”

A broader issue that affects students’ views on body image is the media, Langellier said. Media here at the University can give students expectations of being thin and beautiful. Campus advertisements such as the Abercrombie and Fitch billboard on Green Street raise questions about the messages that the media is sending to students, she added.

“It’s hard to escape that push,” Langellier said.

Some students may be unaware of the resources available on campus for people struggling with eating disorders.

“I haven’t really heard anyone say anything about resources for dealing with eating disorders,” said Lizzy Blaine, freshman in Engineering.

But the resources are there.

Medical assistance, nutrition education and counseling are available at McKinley Health Center, while assessments, therapy and self-help brochures are available at the Counseling Center.

“At appointments the patient will be provided with educational materials and therapy deemed appropriate by the provider,” Karduck said. “Books are also available in McKinley’s library on this topic.”

At the Counseling Center, the process starts with an initial mental health assessment and, if deemed necessary, is followed up with an eating assessment. Group or individual therapy may be suggested after assessments.

“These resources can help a student cope with their problem,” Langellier said.

Community referral is also an option.

“We are connected to a number of resources in the Urbana-Champaign community who specialize in eating disorders,” Langellier said.

Friends of students with eating disorders also have options. The Counseling Center offers a self-help brochure called “Maybe I Have a Friend With an Eating Disorder.” The brochures include checklists and suggestions on how to approach peers.

The first step is deciding whether their relationship is strong enough for the sensitive topic to be discussed, according to the brochure. The self-help brochure offers three topics in analyzing the relationship with a peer, including trust, intimacy and boundaries.

“There is often guilt and shame related to the behavior,” Langellier said. “A strong relationship really helps (when dealing with a peer).”

The brochure also offers advise on how to approach a peer. These steps include creating an action plan, approaching with compassion, remaining patient, and emphasizing specific behaviors.

Without the help of professional, students with low body confidence can prevent themselves from falling prey to the pressures of attaining a perfect body image. The Counseling Center also offers a brochure on body size diversity and acceptance. It informs students how to accept their bodies.

“Students should pay attention to themselves and aim for balanced limfestyles,” Langellier said. “Who you are is based on many things, not just how you look.”

Freshman Emily Berkowitz offered her own piece of advice.

“No one is perfect, it’s not a perfect world,” she said.