Have you noticed anything different about your university student be it a significant weight loss or gain over the past year? What year is your university student in? The first year can be very stressful as university students try to get over leaving home and acclimating themselves to university life. In fact, for some it is a huge transition. While many young females put on a brave front, often they especially, have difficulty making the transition from home to university life. What may develop as a result of the crisis is emotional eating be it inadequate or excessive.
What are some of the causes for the university student to develop an eating disorder? An article entitled Problematic eating disorders in university women, Moods, Winter 2007 informs us:
“… many students become distressed by a loss of social support during the first year of university. They may be living away from family for the first time, and miss the emotional support of family members. They may also miss more concrete benefits of living at home, such as having less responsibility for cleaning or preparing meals for themselves.
“In addition to experiencing loneliness due to a potential reduction in family contact, students may miss their friends who went away to other schools. . . . “
“Likewise, during the first year of university many high school romances are broken off. The loss of a romantic partner can be upsetting at any time, but especially when a student feels that there are few places to turn to for support.”
“During this period of adjustment and possible loneliness, academics may also become a more significant source of stress than they were in high school. . . . “
“To some students, the realization that they may not be the best student (or even get a good grade) in every class may be a huge blow to their self-esteem. They may begin to doubt their ability as a student and may feel threatened by the potential loss of identity as a good student. . . . “
The article goes on to enlighten us:
“During the first year of university more than half of female students experience eating problems that may include behaviours such as restricting food intake or over-eating. The problems range from minor disturbances in eating patterns, like skipping meals or occasionally over-eating, to clinical disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia”.
The article cautions: “Female students who lack the methods to cope with stress may utilize food to subdue their negative feelings.”
Problematic eating differentiates for us the outcome of discipline when the first year of university is over:
“Although many students may experience challenges in regulating their eating behavior during first year, most will not develop a clinically diagnosable eating disorder. However, even though a student may not have a specific disorder, his or her eating patterns may be unhealthy and represent significant difficulties in coping.”
If you see your young adult struggling with this issue reach out and gently talk to them about it. In fact, pitch in, be of help as the article suggests; “Finally, if you are a friend or relative of someone who is experiencing problems regulating eating or managing stress, contact a health professional to learn how you can be of assistance.” Good advice. Overcoming Eating Disorders is all about the “TEAM” concept – Together Everyone Accomplishes a Mission.
“The chief pleasure in eating does not consist in costly seasoning, or exquisite flavor, but in yourself.” -
Horace.
Article © Corinne E. Isaacs-Frontiero, 2011 All Rights Reserved.
Regarding Your Examiner: Corinne writes, also, as the Toronto Military Children Examiner. See the attached link. http://www.examiner.com/military-children-1-in-toronto/corinne-frontiero. She maintained a Divorce Support column and a column as the Detroit/Windsor Pets Examiner, previously, as well. See Corinne’s links at Google or follow Corinne on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/cfrontiero.
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