Eating Disorders Among College Students
There are certain diseases that affect all genders, ages, races, blood types, and people. Mental illness can affect anyone, and is the most common disease, varying in severity. A pivotal time in an adolescent or young adult’s brain is the college transition. It is the first time you are living on your own, taking on heavier workloads, meeting new people and dealing with new relationships. Genetics, environmental factors, and personality traits all combine to create risk for an eating disorder.
30 million Americans struggle with eating disorders every day. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 16% of transgender college students report having an eating disorder, and 1% of all collegiate women are affected by anorexia nervosa. Some who suffer from eating disorders, may not even know or acknowledge that they have them, obviously increasing the dangers.
But why specifically among college students? What puts young adults at more of a risk, if any? Jordan Kowalczewski, a clinical registered dietitian at Vassar Brothers Hospital, sees the effects of eating disorders first hand in her career, and has answers to these questions.
Aside from societal effects such as social media, lack of supervision and support is the main factor for young adults who develop eating disorders. “A lot of these patients are victims of trauma or abuse, and maybe had someone walk out of their life,” explains Kowalczewski. “Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia aren’t necessarily the only diagnoses.” As for college students, some experience the effects of leaving home and leaving their families more so than others, and also experience more alone time than ever before. When asked if there needs to be more awareness regarding eating disorders on college campuses, Kowalczewski agreed wholeheartedly with the statement.
“I’m sure you can get help with counseling services, but when it came to finding a real first step, I had to do some digging,” said Michael Pipko, a Monroe, NY resident who now lives in Poughkeepsie. The Hudson Valley native sought treatment at Vassar Brothers.
Pipko was a high school swimmer who had to drastically drop weight to transition from a football offensive lineman to swim season. “I can’t even say I noticed there was something wrong until I had to look myself in the mirror at college.” Now healthy, Pipko hopes other athletes don’t go down his path.
His story isn’t uncommon. Student athletes who are following strict practice and dietary guidelines often aren’t being checked in on by coaches. An example of this is the lack of awareness raised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Upon reaching their website, NCAA.com, there is little to no information under their “Disordered Eating” link.
“I know a lot of schools do have wellness programs but I don’t think they are utilized as much as they could be.” It’s Kowalczewski’s career goal to maximize awareness and help victims hold themselves accountable.
In doing this, she explains the process of what happens when a patient is admitted to Vassar for disordered eating. A nurse immediately goes through a list of intense questions to assess people’s needs, before they are treated and then sent to rehabilitation.
“It depends on how severe your behavioral symptoms are. There is inpatient and residential treatment facilities, which are almost like a rehab center that an alcoholic or drug addict would go to. They stay there all the time. They have therapy sessions and meet with psychiatrists as far as planning meals go.”
“Where I work, it was an outpatient group but they would come five days a week from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m…They do meal planning and of course meet with a dietician. There are other outpatient groups that are less intense and meet twice a week,” explained Kowalczewski.
“In a hospital setting you don’t necessarily see a patient follow through like in an outpatient setting. It’s unfortunate because you see a lot of people cycle in and out.”
For average students in the Hudson Valley, help is readily available for victims. Aside from Vassar Brothers, there are multiple support groups within ten miles, including Women’s Group right in Poughkeepsie.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, dietary, mental and emotional help is always closer than you think.
