University of Central Oklahoma
TUESDAY September 30, 1997
The Student Voice Since 1903
UCO football fans cheer for the Bronchos during Saturday's homecoming victory over Tarleton State at Wantland Stadium. The final score was 28-19. (staff photo by Bryan Terry)
Eating disorders increase, college students vulnerable By Colby Grieser Staff Writer
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n the past few years, the incidence of eating disorders in women have been steadily increasing, especially in college students. In the United States, 70 percent of women are on diets and 40 percent are suffering from eating disorders and the numbers have risen since 1992, said Jodi Dodson, director of Professional Help For Eating Disorders, Inc. The counseling center at UCO handles therapy for students with eating disorders free of charge. About ten to fifteen women come to the center for counseling per year, said Jan Chapel, coordinator of counseling services. Most of the women who come to the center have been in their late teens to
early twenties and come voluntarily. "When they need help, they seek us out," said Chapel. There are three main eating disorders that are prevalent among women and men: anorexia nervosa, which can be characterized by losing weight by starvation; bulimia nervosa, a binge-purge syndrome in which sufferers gorge themselves on large amounts of food, then force themselves to vomit; and compulsive overeating, when people can't control what and how much they eat. Chapel does the counseling on eating disorders at UCO which could consist of talking, drawing pictures of their feelings or Gestalt psychology, she said. The sessions are 50 minutes once a week, but if the patient needs more intensive therapy, Chapel may refer them to a treatment program with a team of doctors, nutritionists and psychologist,
she said. "It just depends on the severity of the case," said Chapel. There has been a good success rate with the patients on campus. They continually come back and continue with their therapy and if they need it, Chapel recommends a hospital, she said. Most of the time, the women are willing to talk about their problems, but sometimes they may have a hard time opening up, said Chapel. "There's a lot of shame involved, especially in bulimics," said Chapel. Eating disorders are a psychological problem and the causes of eating disorders are varied and uncertain, said Dodson. "There are different issues for everyone," she said. One common thread is they usually
appear in a time of transition such as going from junior high to high school or from high school to college, said Dodson. Eating disorders are prevalent among college students because many of them are away from home for the first time, they want to be accepted and it's a great change in their lives, according to the American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, Inc. Dodson's out-patient program is just for women and concentrates on intensive therapy, fitness and nutrition. "There has definitely been a great need for this kind of program in the Edmond, Oklahoma City area," she said. Most of her patients have been from 18 to 25 years old, but eating disorders can affect any age group. For more information about eating disorders or therapy call Jan Chapel at 341-2980, Ext. 2581.
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