Kristen Sprano

Disordered eating: a growing problem at U.Va.

The overlooked phenomenon of disordered eating is a growing problem for college students nationwide, who typically focus on more severe disorders such as bulimia or anorexia. Disordered eating is the large umbrella of unusual and unhealthy eating habits that do not necessarily fall under a textbook definition of a disorder, and University health and counseling personnel say students on Grounds are even more heavily impacted than the average college student. Nearly all students experience symptoms, but the number of people who actually recognize their habits as harmful and come forward for help is small, said Alison Beaver, assistant director of Health Promotion at Student Health. A certain amount of shame also is associated with eating disorders, so people are often more reluctant to address their unhealthy habits, said Emily Lape, eating disorder specialist at University Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.