University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Fall Welcome Back Issue 2017
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WELCOME BACK FALL 2017
CAMERON LANE -FLEHINGER/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Where eating gets complicated Stress of college results in increasing percentage of students struggling with eating disorders By Sammy Gibbons FEATURES EDITOR
Walking into a dining hall at UW-Madison, new students experience a flood of sensations—the sizzle of grilling burgers, the heavy scent of baking pizza—and, perhaps for the first time, the responsibility of choosing what they eat. Where french fries are sold next to a salad bar, the decision of how to fuel oneself during this early act of independence can be overwhelming for students that, added on to the stress of starting college, could spiral into consistent unhealthy patterns. A Healthy Minds study launched by University Health Services just over one year ago reported that 19.7 percent of UW-Madison students screened positive on SCOFF assessments, meaning they answered two or more questions affirmatively and could be diagnosed with an eating disorder. This falls only slightly short of the national average of 20.6 percent. And before the SCOFF results were published, the National Eating Disorder Association launched the Eating Disorders on the College Campus study in 2013 at 165 schools nationwide, including UW-Madison. Results showed eating disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent among campus populations. This study was a response to
data collected at the University of California-Santa Barbara, which found at one unnamed college total eating disorders
“Most people who are experiencing an eating disorder have never had that conversation with someone else.” Andrea Lawson codirector of mental heath services University Health Services
increased from 23 to 32 percent among females and from 7.9 to 25 percent among males over a 13 year span. NEDA also noted the organization had received an increased number of requests from universities for information regarding eating disorders. Both UHS and NEDA said increased stress on college students that accompanies leaving home for the first time and making choices about their diets can put individuals at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder, as well as societal pressure to maintain a “small” body frame. NEDA Director of Programs
Lauren Smolar said messages warning students about weightgain in college, like the rumor of the “freshman fifteen,” may also lead students to develop concerns about eating. “There’s a lot of awareness and concern over the obesity epidemic and that’s brought attention to healthy foods and a different variety of foods available on college campuses that weren’t available before,” Smolar said. “That is really confusing messaging for someone who is at risk or may be struggling with an eating disorder … There is this middle ground of having the resources available for somebody who needs help from maybe a professional dietitian and also maybe not drawing too much attention to food consumption.” Some UW-Madison students feel the university is lacking in support and raising awareness without spreading these confusing messages. UHS offers a support group focused on eating disorders called the Eating Concerns Recovery and Support Group. Students commit to the group by registering before each semester and meet at the same time each week. If this does not work with students’ schedules there are other support groups in which their eating concerns can be voiced.
“Eating disorders often lead to secrecy, like nobody wants to talk about it or share about it,” Lawson said. “Most people who are experiencing an eating disorder have never had that conversation with someone else. By providing a group space that’s safe and confidential students can come and share their stories and feel like they’re hearing their stories and others as well.”
“If you think of any classroom you’re in, 20 percent of that room may be dealing with an eating disorder.” Andrea Lawson codirector of mental heath services University Health Services
UW-Madison junior Hannah Glasrud said she found the groups to be hard to get into, as they fill up quickly, and that a group that meets at the same time each week and requires advanced commitment may not accommodate for how “fluctuating” eating disorders are.
This past academic term she was involved in planting the seed of a student organization called Proud2Bme, a collegiate initiative started by NEDA. The group never came to fruition, but Glasrud, along with former UW-Madison student Carter Kofman who also worked to implement the initiative, said a group like this is needed on campus to provide students with a space to interact with peers in order to cope with their eating concerns. Project HEAL is the only student organization at UW-Madison centered around eating disorders. Their goal, though, is to raise awareness of eating disorders and promote body positivity, as opposed to a support group setting, but they do offer events where members can gather and talk openly. NEDA found in the results of their study “indicate that greater funding and resources are needed to educate, screen, refer and treat college students who struggle with eating disorders or disordered eating issues.” The report also found “a significant gap in perceived need and available counseling or nutritional services by staff specializing in eating disorders,” something which may have been present at UW-Madison in
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“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”