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Student are able to bring their comfort animals to the dorms.
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Check out the bands to know, the big names and the film side of Treefort.
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Andy Bettles is a spark for the men’s tennis team.
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March 20, 2014 • Issue no. 50 Volume 27
Boise, Idaho
First issue free
@DaniBananii
Jenna (name changed for safety and legal reasons) is a current Boise State student and recently turned twenty-one and legal drinking is now a common activity. Some students, like Jenna, have participated in what’s known as “Drunkorexia.” “I’ve done it before,” Jenna said. “I’m trying to avoid a hangover is my thought process, but it doesn’t help.” Dr. Vincent Serio, director of Medical Services for University Health Services, said though he has seen the non-medical term before, he hasn’t heard it on Boise State’s campus. “It doesn’t surprise me,” Serio said. “I’ve seen this in a couple places before. According to an article provided by Serio, titled “Drunkorexia: Understanding the Co-occurrence of Alcohol consumption and Eating/Exercise Weight Management Behaviors,” “Drunkorexia”
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consists of three behaviors: 1) Skipping meals in order to save calories or compensate for increased caloric intake from consumption of alcoholic beverages 2) Excessive exercising in order to compensate for calories consumed from drinking 3) Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in order to become sick and purge previously consumed food. A University of Texas study found 30 percent of females between the ages of 18 and 23 had participated in one or more of these behaviors. Dr. Karla West, director of counseling at University Health Services, hasn’t seen any indication that “Drunkorexia” is a problem on Boise State’s campus. “What has been reported through us has been minimal,” West said. However, West believes there may be a reason numbers are so low. “It might not be reported,” West said. “People don’t tend to disclose eating disorders readily.” University Health Ser-
vices does regularly screen patients for indicators of either substance or alcohol abuse. “We do screen and ask questions about substance abuse, alcohol abuse,” Serio said. “I’m not sure that we really ask the question ‘do you substitute alcohol for food products?’ but we may need to.” Several different factors may contribute to participating in “Drunkorexia,” including peer pressure, a way to become inebriated faster and financial reasons. “Sometimes the behaviors are engaged in in order to save money, as less money is spent on alcohol if one gets drunk faster,” West said. According to Jenna, she believes the behavior is more for financial reasons. “(My roommates) definitely don’t eat so they can save money for alcohol, but at the end of the night they eat everything at every fast food restaurant,” Jenna said. She has also witnessed friends who withhold calories to get drunk faster. “Most of my friends don’t eat so they can get drunk faster; that’s the main reason,” Jenna said. “If they have a big meal before they go out drinking they’re half-pissed when they’re drinking because it takes longer (to get drunk).”
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Danielle Allsop
I’m not sure that we really ask the question ‘do you substitute alcohol for food products?’ but we may need to. —Vincent Serio
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Females can have two drinks in one sitting, while males can have three drinks in one sitting. A “drink” means one serving of alcohol, whether it’s a beer, a shot of liquor, a mixed drink or a glass of wine. Per week, females can have up to 10 drinks, while males can have up to 14 drinks. “These aren’t (numbers) we make up,” Serio said. “Women are generally not as efficient at processing
alcohol in their liver. They are more likely to have a higher alcohol level in their blood stream.” Anything above the maximum puts the individual in the “at-risk” zone, where side effects are likely to skyrocket. Both West and Serio recommend drinking a glass of water in between each alcoholic drink. However, drinking water does not slow down the rate at which alcohol is metabolized, which is typically at
the rate of one alcoholic drink per hour. “Drinking a glass of water in between is a healthy way to pace your drinking,” West said. “We’re in an orally-fixated society. (Drinking water) keeps you hydrated and in pace with your group.” Jenna, though she has participated in it in the past, doesn’t advocate that others do it. “It isn’t the safest,” Jenna said. “I wouldn’t recommend others try it.”
Megan Nanna/THE ARBITER
Drunkorexia: A silent trend on campus
recommended MAXIMUM SERVING 3DRINKS PER SITTING
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Olympians to speak at CommCon Two Olympic athletes with ties to Idaho were recently announced as keynote speakers for the “Social in Sochi” panel of PRSSA’s CommCon. Boise State alumnus and former track and field athlete, Nick Cunningham and Middleton, Idaho native Erik Fisher will speak at the PRSSA’s annual CommCon event on May 1 in the Special Events Center. CommCon 2014 is an event put on by the students within the Communication Department, allowing the Boise community to ‘celebrate the communications field and bridge the gap between students and professionals.’ Cunningham, a 2008 graduate of the Communications Department, was
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a member of the United States Olympic bobsled team for the Sochi Olympics. He piloted one of the three U.S. two-man teams to a 13th-place finish, while also manning one of the four man teams to a 12th-place finish. Fisher, who began his skiing career Bogus Basin at three years old, was edged out by Steven Nyman for the final spot on the team. PRSSA President and Event Director John Garretson is excited for the opportunity to have Cunningham and Fisher speak about their Olympic journeys. “It’s fantastic to have Nick on board for our CommCon panel, especially as a Department of Communication alumnus,” Garretson said. “I can’t wait for the Boise community to hear Nick’s story.”
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Both will speak about social media’s effect on their respective careers. “Erik’s a tremendous addition for our event. “Flyin’ Fish” is not only a superb skier and athlete,
but his journey to where he is today is one that is unmatched.” Cunningham is extremely excited for the opportunity to give back to his alma mater.
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“I cannot express how honored I am to be invited back to Boise to speak and tell my story,” Cunningham said. “Boise State, along with Boise State’s Communication Department gave me the tools needed to succeed both athletically and in life. Social media played a huge
roll in my Olympic experience and I am excited for this opportunity with PRSSA.” The “Social in Sochi” portion of the event will run from 7:30-9 p.m. while CommCon will begin at 4 p.m. in the Jordan Ballroom of the Student Union Building.
Courtesty/mct campus
Staff Writer
courtesy/selko photo
Nate Lowery
2DRINKS PER SITTING 14 DRINKS
Erik Fisher, a member of the U.S. ski team in Sochi.
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Cunningham competed in the bobsled in Sochi.
Arts & Entertainment
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Sports
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