It's time to have a real talk. College campuses promote mental health but fail to acknowledge the toxic language and actions surrounding food. Disordered eating and negative relationships with food have become normalized on college campuses, leaving many students unaware of the struggle. Shockingly, the majority of eating disorders start within the ages of 18-21, leaving students in a vulnerable state when starting a new chapter of their lives. Alarmingly, 35% of students develop eating disorders or some form of disordered eating in college, and this number doesn't even account for those who do not realize they have an issue.
Toxic language about food and bodies can trigger students who struggle with food or body image. Phrases like "pulling trig," which normalizes purging after drinking, can trigger those with a history of bulimia. Similarly, saying "I'm going out tonight, so I'm not eating," can lead to cycles of binging and restricting, and the "freshman 15" is a damaging and outdated phrase that needs to become extinct.
We need to be more aware of our language and actions and their impact on those around us. When we neglect basic needs like eating and prioritize the hustle and bustle of college life, it's no wonder that a healthy relationship with food becomes something to brag about. Colleges must prioritize physical well-being over academics and advocate for a healthy relationship with food.
It's time to start a conversation about what needs to change. The first step is to become aware of our own language and habits and eliminate anything that promotes this toxic culture. We need to set our boundaries and listen to our bodies, focusing on how we feel instead of what others might say. It's time to stop normalizing eating disorders and call out this harmful behavior when we see it.
To those struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, know that you deserve to recover and to fuel your body without guilt. You deserve to love your body at all stages and live a life that isn't controlled by your eating disorder. Seek help and take back control. It's time for colleges to do better and educate their students and staff. In 2023, it's time to end the normalization of eating disorders on college campuses.
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