Stop Normalizing Eating Disorders in College
College campuses love to promote mental health yet fail to call out the toxic language and actions surrounding food. Disordered eating and a negative relationship with food have become so normal throughout college campuses that many students do not realize the struggle. A majority of eating disorders start within the ages of 18-21. Students are already vulnerable when beginning a new chapter of their lives, such as college. 35% of students eventually develop eating disorders or some disordered eating in college. This does not even account for students who do not realize they even have disordered eating. When making a vulnerable transition, students are more likely to be influenced by toxic language about food and bodies. When entering college, we hear about the "freshman 15." Students replace meals with iced coffee and act like it's not a big deal. We need to be more aware that phrases and actions can trigger someone who struggles with food or body image. Here are a few phrases we NEED to stop saying and steps we need to stop romanticizing in college.
"Pulling Trig"
Pulling trig is a term thrown around across all college campuses. In an environment where drinking is encouraged, people "pull trig" because they think it'll make them feel better after a night out or allow them to drink past their usual limits. However, this act can often trigger those who have a history involving bulimia. When purging alcohol is normalized, it creates a misconception that purging is not an issue, but that is far from true.
"I'm going out tonight, so I'm not eating."
It is sad how often I hear this, and it is even sadder that this is something I used to do. I thought that if I ate before going out, I wouldn't look good in my outfit. However, this is toxic thinking that needs to end. Eating is a basic human need whether you are drinking or not. The outfit will look the same with having a good meal in your stomach. Also, this can lead to a cycle of binging and restricting. When you have gone all day without eating and then drink, you will most likely become extremely hungry and eat more after a night out, leading you to restrict the next day.
"The freshman 15"
This phrase needed to become extinct YEARSSSS ago. College is a stressful transition for anyone. The last thing students should be worried about is gaining weight. The misconceptions around weight gain need to end. No, not everyone will gain weight in college, but if you do, who cares. Your body wakes you up, keeps you alive, allows you to do the things you love. The amount you weigh is the least interesting thing about you. If someone you know judges you for gaining weight throughout a stressful and new transition, kindly tell them to fuck off :)
"I'm too busy to eat."
It's easy to become so stressed and constantly hustling that making time for basic needs such as eating can be put on the back burner. Not eating due to being too busy has become romanticized in college culture. The idea that you are working yourself to the point that you don't even have time to eat makes students feel a sense of pride. This is not something to brag about. College campuses NEED to advocate for a healthy relationship with food and emphasize the importance of physical well-being over academics.
NOW WHAT?
We as a society need to become more aware. If you hear this type of language, call it out. Start a conversation about what needs to change. The first way to make a difference is by starting with yourself. Listen to how you talk or your daily habits. Eliminate anything that may promote this toxic culture. Identify your boundaries with food and body image by listening to your body and focusing on how you feel. Do not ever allow someone to make you think you are weak for eating. Do not ever let someone make you feel like "pulling trig" is no big deal. Do not ever let someone make you think your weight determines your worth. Having an eating disorder is not something to brag about. It affects millions of people every day. Colleges NEED to do better and educate their students and staff. It's 2021. Stop normalizing eating disorders.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, do not hesitate to seek help. You deserve to recover. You deserve to fuel your body without guilt. You deserve to love your body at all stages. You deserve to live a life that isn't controlled by your eating disorder. It's time to take back control.
For help and other resources, please see the links below:
National Institute of Mental Health