2008 Woodie Awards
Eating Disorder Awareness Brought to UCM Campus
Bryanna Lindblom: Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), eating disorders are more common than Alzheimer's disease, but they receive 75 percent less funding for research.
Also, while an average of $1.20 is spent on each individual affected by an eating disorder, $159 is spent on each individual affected by schizophrenia. Yet, anorexia nervosa has the highest premature mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.
This is why NEDA is contributing to the battle against eating disorders by educating individuals during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which is February 24 through March 1. The theme for this year's awareness week is "Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you." The message focus's on finding personal acceptance and confidence in every individual body type.
Liz Cassidy, counseling psychologist at UCM, helped bring eating disorder awareness to the UCM campus last week in Ellis. Cassidy said research and statistics show eating disorders are common among college men and women.
Cassidy organized an outreach program which looked at advertisements and popular media images and how they influence or pressure individuals to be thin.
Although many students may know what an eating disorder is, they may not always know how to identify one or what to do after a disorder has been found.
Tara Christian, junior childhood elementary education major, said although the topic is important, it is not one talked about too often.
"I really don't think I would know where to go on campus if someone I knew had an eating disorder," she said. "I might go talk to another friend about it."
Cassidy said a good indicator of someone with an eating disorder is a strong concern with their body and their dissatisfaction with it.
"There are specific diagnostic criteria, but short of that, one central characteristic is pre-occupation; when a person thinks they are too heavy, but in reality their weight is normal," Cassidy said.
Also, while an average of $1.20 is spent on each individual affected by an eating disorder, $159 is spent on each individual affected by schizophrenia. Yet, anorexia nervosa has the highest premature mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.
This is why NEDA is contributing to the battle against eating disorders by educating individuals during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which is February 24 through March 1. The theme for this year's awareness week is "Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you." The message focus's on finding personal acceptance and confidence in every individual body type.
Liz Cassidy, counseling psychologist at UCM, helped bring eating disorder awareness to the UCM campus last week in Ellis. Cassidy said research and statistics show eating disorders are common among college men and women.
Cassidy organized an outreach program which looked at advertisements and popular media images and how they influence or pressure individuals to be thin.
Although many students may know what an eating disorder is, they may not always know how to identify one or what to do after a disorder has been found.
Tara Christian, junior childhood elementary education major, said although the topic is important, it is not one talked about too often.
"I really don't think I would know where to go on campus if someone I knew had an eating disorder," she said. "I might go talk to another friend about it."
Cassidy said a good indicator of someone with an eating disorder is a strong concern with their body and their dissatisfaction with it.
"There are specific diagnostic criteria, but short of that, one central characteristic is pre-occupation; when a person thinks they are too heavy, but in reality their weight is normal," Cassidy said.
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