Warning all gym bunnies and health snackers

Eating disorders manifest in compulsive behaviour pertaining to diet and are common yet incontrovertibly misunderstood. Like all mental disorders, they are all encompassing, demanding attention in all areas of a sufferer’s life. This is especially true in a society that values youth, beauty and appearances. The most commonly diagnosed and well known disorders are Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa but the collection is far-reaching. Binge eating, Orthorexia nervosa and Compulsive exercising as not covered as extensively in the dialogue of our day to day lives and are therefore easier to disguise under a façade of euphemism. This appears to be apparent in many first year cases. Sometimes it’s called ‘stress’, ‘homesickness’, ‘dining hall food’ or ‘healthy living’ when it is really a tempestuous illness.

It is with caution that I approach this topic; my intention is not to offend. I do not claim that I know everything about eating disorders nor do I assume that all first years are afflicted with eating disorders. My opinion merely suggests that many of us are subliminal onlookers of the disconsolate symptoms and consequences of eating disorders. If not that, I do not feel that insufficient awareness of eating disorders is present on our campus.

As a first year girl, living in a residence with 70 other girls I have witnessed binge eating and purging; an obsession with exercise and manic obedience to a diet of healthy food. These are extreme cases that are less common, I am sure. However, less extreme but more common unhealthy eating habits are around on our campus. I have allowed myself to engage in fits of ‘eating my feelings’ and plummeted, relentlessly into notorious ‘first year spread’.

Perhaps you know what I am talking about. Staying up all night to finish an essay is incomplete without an assortment of late night snacks, dining hall food can be too greasy at times so the options are just a salad or nothing at all, toast smeared with butter and strawberry jam is delicious and another slice is always in order after a bad day. These eating habits are not necessarily dangerous but in the throes of stress, homesickness, competition and social pressure these habits can be pushed to the extreme and procure devastating consequences.

I know a girl that has been nicknamed for her love of working out which seems benign but can become dangerous if taken too far. I know another who hardly ate at all when she and her boyfriend ended their relationship and persisted to vomit the little she ate. Again, this abhorrent behaviour only lasted for a brief episode but is unhealthy if someone like this continues to deal with grief in this way throughout life. My suggestion is that similar support and awareness must be harnessed in addressing eating disorders as is evident in HIV awareness weeks and Cancer awareness weeks. This may make students take on a greater responsibility in the prevention of eating disorders as I believe that we as students should play a part in the well-being of our peers.

First year is demanding in all aspects of life and first year students come under a lot of pressure. When this pressure collides with unhealthy lifestyle choices like binge eating and obsessive exercising the result can lead to eating disorders. Girls on campus in midriff bearing tops with their hip bones and collar bones protruding or girls (and boys) spending a considerable time in the bathroom ridding their bodies of the last meal they ate may become more common. As eating disorders are all encompassing, other penalties may surface like slacking academically and becoming socially inept. Clearly, an eating disorder free first year is advisable in coping with the many pressures thrust upon the shoulders of first year students. Ironically, eating disorders can function as a defence mechanism and a form of escapism in dealing with the pressures of first year.

Eating disorders and unhealthy eating habits are a problem in first year but are not well recognised for various reasons like the lack in awareness on our campus. A greater effort must be made to help students deal with issues like homesickness and academic stress. Furthermore, an effort must be made to guide students so that they can assist their peers in times of need. Perhaps this way the unhealthy lifestyle choices that are brought on by the underlying problems of stress and homesickness can be alleviated more effectively.