Body Image & Eating Disorders

Previous studies have shown that 1 in 3 college students report being concerned about their weight and body shape. College students are at high risk for body dissatisfaction for many reasons – biologically, socially and emotionally. Furthermore, both male and female college students report body image concerns at a similar amount.

Body image can be defined as “the subjective picture or mental image of one's own body,” though there are many factors that contribute to the way we see ourselves including: 

• What you believe about your own appearance (including your memories, assumptions and generalizations). 
• How you feel about your body, including your height, shape and weight. 
• How you sense and control your body as you move/how you physically experience or feel in your body. 

We begin internalizing messages about body image from a young age, leading to either a positive/healthy body image or a negative/unhealthy one. This is important as body dissatisfaction is the best-known contributor to eating disorder development.

Negative/Unhealthy Body Image

A negative body image, or body dissatisfaction, is a distorted view of one’s shape. It involves feelings of shame, anxiety and self-consciousness as well as a feeling that their body is flawed compared to others, which can lead to feelings of depression.

Positive/Healthy Body Image

A positive body image, or body satisfaction, is a clear, true perception of body size and shape – seeing the parts of your body as they really are. Body satisfaction involves:  

• Feeling comfortable and confident in your body.
• Accepting your natural body shape and size.
• Recognizing that physical appearance says very little about one’s character and value as a person.

The National Eating Disorders Association gives 10 Steps to Positive Body Image:

1. Appreciate all that your body can do.
2. Keep a top-ten list of things you like about yourself (outside of appearance).
3. Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep.
4. Look at yourself as a whole person.
5. Surround yourself with positive people.
6. Shut down the voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a “bad” person.
7. Wear clothes that are comfortable and make your feel good about your body.
8. Become a critical viewer of social and media messages.
9. Do something nice for yourself.
10. Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories and/or your weight to do something to help others.

Stop “Diet Talk” and Appearance-Based Ideals

We live in a culture where we are bombarded with information about diets and which foods to eat/not eat in order to lose weight or look a certain way. Speaking up and letting others know that you are uncomfortable with it is a good place to start changing the conversation around food and weight.

Every Body is Different

We all have different genetic makeups and cultural traits, as well as different needs to keep us at our healthiest self. Ultimately there is no “ideal” body weight as just one number or range would not be able to encompass all of our differences. It is important to remember these things for your own “ideal” body:

• Treat your body with respect.
• Give it enough rest.
• Fuel it with a variety of foods.
• Exercise moderately and in an enjoyable way.
• Resist the pressure to judge yourself and others based on weight, shape or size, as well as compare.
• Respect people based on the qualities of character and accomplishments.

Learn More

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

Eating disorders are psychological conditions that affect your relationship with food. Each one involves serious changes in your normal eating behavior. These changes can be actions like eating much less than normal, compulsively overeating, engaging in harmful compensatory behaviors or having extreme obsessions about your body shape or weight. Eating disorders do not discriminate based on age, gender, wealth, job status, sexual orientation, ability, neurodiversity, body shape and size, race, or ethnicity. They are capable of affecting anyone, and require ongoing support and, in some cases, medical treatment to recover from.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and affect between 10-15% of Americans. Approximately 20 million women and 10 million men struggle with some form of disordered eating. It’s important to understand that disordered eating is not a lifestyle choice, but a dangerous and potentially life-threatening disorder caused by biological, psychological and sociocultural risk factors. The most common forms of disordered eating are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. The most common ages for an eating disorder to begin are between 18-21, which is why we want students to be aware of them.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to have an obsessive fear of gaining weight, leading to a distorted body image and difficulty maintaining healthy body weight due to calorie restriction.

Fast Stats

• The lifetime prevalence of anorexia nervosa is between 0.8% and 0.9%.
• Anorexia may begin as a result of genetic and environmental factors.
• Anorexia is often present with concerns such as depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide.

Warning Signs

• Distorted body image
• Restricted food intake
• Refusal to maintain a healthy weight
• Obsession with weight
• Denial

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder where someone has regular episodes of binge eating (consuming a large amount of food in a short period of time) followed by purging using methods such as self-induced vomiting, compulsive exercise, laxative use, diuretic use, insulin misuse and/or diet pill use. These cycles usually occur at least once a week for three months or more and are brought on by a distorted view of one’s shape or weight.

Fast Stats

• The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa is between 0.3% and 2.5%.
• Bulimia is often present with other concerns such as mood and anxiety disorders.

Warning Signs

• Strict dieting
• Triggers
• Binge eating
• Purging
• Shame

Individuals with Binge Eating Disorder experience recurring episodes of overeating that happen in a rapid manner and short timeframe. These episodes usually occur when they are not hungry and can extend past the point of a person reaching extreme fullness. People who struggle with this disorder may feel as if they have no control over their eating habits during an episode, and may feel shameful after eating.

Fast Stats

• The lifetime prevalence of binge-eating disorder is 1.9%.
• 3-4% of women and 2% of men are affected.
• It is the most common eating disorder in the United States.
• Many patients also have a comorbid mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety.

Warning Signs

• Excessive amounts of food
• Weight fluctuation
• Low self-esteem
• Loss of sexual desire
• Frequent dieting

DO

• Remind them that it’s not about the food
• Speak honestly
• Listen
• Express concern
• Avoid conflict
• Be patient and available
• Remind them that recovery is a choice

DON’T

• Let fear dissuade you from speaking up
• Ignore the problem
• Try to be a therapist
• Simplify the problem and solution
• Blame, shame, threaten, guilt
• Gossip
• Try to force the individual to eat
• Comment on the eating behaviors of you or others around someone who is struggling with disordered eating

If you think you have an eating disorder:

Take an eating disorder self assessment quiz.

Ask Yourself

• Am I preoccupied with food and my body?
• Am I constantly trying to maintain certain diets?
• Do I judge myself for what I eat?
• Do I feel compelled to compensate for eating?
• Do I polarize certain foods?

Resources

• Clemson Student Health Services: SHS takes a multidisciplinary approach – a treatment team typically includes a medical doctor, psychiatrist, nutritionist and counselor who coordinate your care. 
  • Contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 864-656-2451 to initiate care.
• Clemson CARE Network: The CARE Network is designed to be one of the ways to help connect current students with the resources to help support them.
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders (ANAD): The helpline 1-888-375-7767 is open Monday-Friday, or email hello@anad.org.
• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)