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Eating disorders are treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, races, sexual orientations, ages, religions, body shapes, & weights. They are complex and can be characterized by:
Persistent disturbances in eating behaviors
Distorted thoughts about weight and body shape
Significant emotional, psychological, and functional impairment
Eating Disorders Exist On A Spectrum
Eating disorders (EDs) exist on a spectrum that includes both clinically diagnosable disorders and subclinical “disordered eating”, which involves maladaptive eating behaviors and attitudes that may not meet full diagnostic criteria but still carry substantial risk. It is important for individuals experiencing disordered eating to receive support and treatment, as these behaviors can be life-threatening—even if a person does not appear “too thin” or visibly ill.
Why Does Eating Disorder Awareness Matter?
EDs have the highest mortality rate among any mental illness
Less than 20% of students who screen positive for an ED actually receive treatment
Risk for developing an ED among undergraduate students has nearly doubled in the past decade
They often present subclinically, leading them to go unnoticed
Vulnerability is increasing as social media presents new risk factors
They can affect academic performance
Common Signs & Symptoms:
Common Signs & Symptoms:
Preoccupation with weight loss, food, calories, or dieting
Refusal to eat certain food groups or ritualistic eating habits
Withdrawal from others during mealtimes
Extreme concern about body size, shape, or perceived flaws.
Possible noticeable fluctuation in weight (both directions)
Gastrointestinal complaints and/or frequent trips to the bathroom following meals
Menstrual irregularities
Dizziness or fainting
Difficulty concentrating & with sleep
Often feeling cold
Muscle weakness or frequent overuse injuries
Dental problems, brittle nails, or yellow skin
Overview of Risk Factors
Overview of Risk Factors
Body dissatisfaction
Dieting/weight control behaviors
Perfectionism and low self-esteem
Imposter syndrome
Problematic social media use
Sleep disturbance
Emotional Dysregulation
Sociocultural appearance pressures
Developmental vulnerability
You May Be Asking Yourself, "What Can I Do With This Information?"
Well, lucky for you, eating disorders do not usually begin with diagnosis - they begin with risk. By identifying and addressing these risks early on, you have the opportunity to protect students’ physical health, mental health, and academic success.
Raising awareness is not simply educational - it involves:
Informing, Identifying, and Intervening.
Intervention is a crucial step in addressing concerns related to eating disorders. If you notice these signs and symptoms in someone—or recognize these risk factors—taking action is the next logical step.
Intervention refers to any effort made to improve a situation, and even small actions can make a meaningful difference. Below are several strategies for carrying out a thoughtful and supportive intervention when you notice disordered eating behaviors:
Click the links below for additional information on some of the most common eating disorders:
Click the links below for additional information on some of the most common eating disorders:
Online Resources for Additional Information:
Concerned about your relationship with food and/or your body? Feel free to reach out to the Counseling Center for a confidential consultation!
Sources
Sources
Amengual-Llofriu, M. A., Tauler, P., & Aguiló, A. (2025). Risk of eating disorders among university students and its association with dieting, weight control behavior, and non-substance addictions. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 3822. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-25113-w
Cerolini, S., Nowicki, G. P., & Rodgers, R. F. (2025). The interplay between social media use, poor sleep, and disordered eating: A narrative review. Cogent Mental Health, 4(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/28324765.2025.2594799
Chang, O. D. (2020). The stakes of self-worth: Examining contingencies of self-worth to clarify the association between global self-esteem and eating disturbances in college women. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(12), 2283–2295. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23006
Claydon, E., & Zullig, K. J. (2020). Eating disorders and academic performance among college students. Journal of American College Health, 68(3), 320–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1549556
Fowler, K., Wareham-Fowler, S., & Keyes, C. L. M. (2025). Flourishing despite eating disorder risk: Exploring undergraduate student academic, social, and mental health outcomes via the dual continua model. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2025.2594167
Generoso, R., Irvine-Marsh, S., Jepsen, A., Sonneville, K. R., & Hahn, S. L. (2025). Examining prevalence of disordered eating and self-monitoring methods by specific weight and shape management goals among first-year college students. Journal of American College Health, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2550379
Jacobson, R. (2023, November 6). College students and eating disorders. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/eating-disorders-and-college/
Meyer, L. P., & Leppma, M. (2019). The role of mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotion regulation in eating disorder symptoms among college students. Journal of College Counseling, 22(3), 211–224. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12138
Morgan, J. F., Reid, F., & Lacey, J. H. (2000). The SCOFF questionnaire: A new screening tool for eating disorders. Western Journal of Medicine, 172(3), 164–165. https://doi.org/10.1136/ewjm.172.3.164
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025a, September 3). Eating disorder screening tool. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool/
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025b, September 15). Eating disorder statistics. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/#students-and-eating-disorders
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025c, November 10). Frequently asked eating disorders questions from students. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/frequently-asked-questions-from-students/
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025d, November 7). Anorexia nervosa: Symptoms, treatment & support. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/anorexia-nervosa/
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025e, November 7). Binge eating disorder: Symptoms, treatment & support. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/binge-eating-disorder/
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025f, November 7). Bulimia nervosa: Symptoms, treatment & support. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/bulimia-nervosa/
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025g, November 7). Orthorexia: Symptoms, risks & treatment. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/orthorexia/
National Eating Disorders Association. (2025h, November 7). Warning signs and symptoms. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms/
Peréz-Jiménez, M., Uclés-Torrente, M. D. M., Ruiz-Gamarra, G. E., Vaquero-Álvarez, M., Blancas-Sánchez, I. M., Aparicio-Martínez, P., & Vaquero-Abellán, M. (2025). Social media consumption and risk of addiction associated with adolescent disordered eating behaviour: An observational analysis. Nutrients, 17(18), Article 3017. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17183017
Renfrew Center. (2025, December 15). Eating disorder resources for high schools & colleges. https://renfrewcenter.com/resources/for-schools/
Riolo, M., Piombo, M. A., Spicuzza, V., Novara, C., La Grutta, S., & Epifanio, M. S. (2025). The relationship between emotional intelligence and the risk of eating disorders among adolescents: The mediating role of motivation for the use of social media and moderation of perceived social support. Behavioral Sciences, 15(4), 434. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040434
Sagert, S. J., & Christensen Pacella, K. A. (2025). Higher imposter syndrome symptoms associated with greater odds of eating disorders in college and university students. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2501013
Smith, J. M., et al. (2022). Development and psychometric evaluation of an empirically derived daily checklist of weight control: Consumption-reduction strategies and health-focused strategies in college students. Journal of American College Health, 70(5), 1577–1583. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1810691
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