February is National Eating Disorders Awareness Month

February is National Eating Disorders Awareness Month. There are both local and national organizations of people willing to aid you or your loved ones in the fight against eating disorders. Resources are available for those currently struggling and in recovery.  

February is dedicated to bringing awareness to all eating disorders and educating those on when to seek help. This month is an opportunity to shed light on those difficult conversations. 

“Often when I see a new client, their eating struggles begin with changing their eating patterns, often based on a diet,” said registered dietitian nutritionist Michelle Weinbender.

Around 10-20% of women and 4-10% of men in college have an eating disorder. If not you, students around you are struggling. Although eating disorders are usually a private and very personal matter, this disease has a serious impact on someone’s day-to-day life. This affects how they function, their social life, job, and self-care regimen, according to eatingrecoverycenter.com.

Weinbender said students should seek support and resources on campus such as medical and mental health check-ins, support services and food pantries. 

There is a stereotype that only girls are affected by eating disorders, she said.

“You can’t tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them,” Weinbender said. 

Anyone and any body type can have an eating disorder. The three types of eating disorders that Weinbender treats the most are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, she said.