National Eating Disorder Awareness Week occurs from Feb. 26 to March 5. It is an annual campaign by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) to bring awareness to eating disorders and “engage support for individuals and families affected by eating disorders.” According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), eating disorders are defined as “serious and often fatal illnesses that are associated with severe disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions.”
As college students, it is important to check in with ourselves and one’s friends. Statistics from the NIMH state that the median age of onset for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is 18 years old, and binge eating disorder is 21 years old.
UTSA offers student resources, including an Eating Recovery Group hosted by UTSA’s Center for Collegiate Recovery, that meets virtually or in person at the JPL 4.02.08 on Mondays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, there are many online resources available. Linked below is a list of resources best suited for students and individuals interested in learning more about eating disorders, statistics about different eating disorders and resources to find help.
- UTSA Wellbeing Services – UTSA provides “recovery support services” at the Center for Collegiate Recovery located on campus at the John Peace Library 4.02.08. These support services include support meetings, a physical lounge/community room, a supportive community and one-on-one services.
- UTSA support groups and events – UTSA’s Center for Collegiate Recovery hosts weekly events, one of them being an eating recovery group that meets virtually or in person at the JPL 4.02.08 on Mondays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- NEDA student resources – NEDA has a comprehensive list of resources specific to students including statistics, warning signs of a potential eating disorder, a Linktree to find treatment in the area and several other resources.
National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders individual resources – This website provides a list of 19 resources for adults wanting to learn more about specific eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder) and OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder). Within this list of resources is a college/university guide that has specific information about eating disorders on college campuses.
