It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of college-aged women and 4 to 10% of college-aged men suffer from an eating disorder, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. I talked to a Vol State student who has struggled with an eating disorder for several years. She asked to remain anonymous.
“Back when I stopped volleyball around senior year, I hit a point where I wasn't exercising as often,” she said. “When I stopped, immediately my metabolism shifted. I was eating regularly without exercising and I realized I was gaining weight. I felt really insecure about it and so I kind of just started starving myself. I started dropping weight immediately- more than I should have. Even my doctor said something about it. That’s when I had to realize, ‘Oh, this is an issue.’”
And then it got worse.
“I went on something called phentermine, and phentermine- it suppresses your appetite,” she said. “The average intake of calories a day for the average human is like 2000. I was eating 1200,” she said. “It was just making a lot of mental issues worse. I finally came off of it.”
There are three things to look out for. Weight concerns, low energy, mood swings, and odd behaviors after meals are all possible indicators of an eating disorder.
“Self-reflection is a huge part of realizing what you need to fix in order to actually address the problem,” she said. “Be comfortable in your own skin. That sounds a little cliché, but at the end of the day, you’re you for a reason.”
Be sure to get help. “Look for people who you know will support you,” she said. “I’m very thankful that I had that support system. You’re created in the way that you’re supposed to be created,” she said. “If we all looked the same, then this world would be really boring.”
Vol State is raising awareness this week for eating disorders for National Eating Disorder Awareness week. If you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder, contact the eating disorder helpline at (888) 375-7767. If you would like to get more information about eating disorders and how you or someone you know can get help, visit the National Eating Disorders Association website.
