College 101: Preventing Eating Disorders During the Transition to College

Dr. Kim Dennis and Kirsten Haglund of Timberline Knolls Discuss the Transition to College and Eating Disorders

EDH: Welcome to today’s #EDHchat! Our topic is about how to prevent eating disorders in the transition to #college. Special thanks to @TimberlineToday for helping us make this Twitter chat possible! We would like to start by welcoming our special guests: Dr. Kim Dennis & Kirsten Haglund.

Dr. Kim Dennis is the CEO and Medical Director of Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. Kirsten Haglund is a former Miss America, NEDA Ambassador & Community Relations Specialist for TK.

It’s great to have you here today! Let’s get started with some of our questions.

What factors can trigger an eating disorder in a college student?

Dr. Kim: We know eating disorders come into being from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. We can’t change our genes so the environmental factors are more relevant to this discussion. Any transition is stressful. Moving is 1 of the top 3 life stressors for adults. Going to college not only entails a geographic move but also academic & social challenges that are far greater today than ever.

Low self-esteem, poor social support, perfectionism, co-occurring psychiatric or substance abuse problems are factors. Isolation, history of trauma, bullying, emotional, physical or sexual abuse all increase the risk of developing an ED.

For college students, with young adult, not yet fully matured brains, the stressors they are facing can be overwhelming. This includes social pressure to fit in, nonstop messages from media/culture to aspire to the “thin ideal” & academic pressures.

This can be overwhelming for a person who has never lived away from home before. For those with a genetic predisposition to ED, it might be enough to put them over the edge.

EDH: How can a student prepare for a smooth transition to college?

Kirsten: Make a plan for food and exercise. Get involved on campus. Choose a good friend group. Get support in the form of a treatment team.

EDH: What can help a student prevent an eating disorder from progressing?

Dr. Kim: ED prevention training and awareness on campus, positive peer support, & ongoing family support. Campus culture which fosters weight acceptance & weight diversity rather than the robotic perpetuation of the thin ideal. Access to student counseling center with an eating disorder specialist to identify & make treatment recommendations. Early and adequate/expert intervention yields the best outcomes!

EDH: What are indicators that a student is struggling with an eating disorder?

Kirsten: Weight loss/weight gain. Obsession with weight, appearance, calories, & exercise. Frequent trips to the bathroom after eating. Increase in depression, anxiety, isolation, avoiding situations with food. Increase in abnormal eating or exercise behavior.

EDH: During the transition to college, what resources might be available to a student on campus to support recovery?

Dr. Kim: Many colleges have a student counseling center; unfortunately, many fewer have eating disorder experts available. If not available, most counseling centers have a list of referral sources in the community to address that need. There are great national resources available online or by telephone- Eating Disorder Hope, NEDA, Alliance for Eating Disorders, to name a few.

Many campuses have peer support groups or ED support groups for students free of charge. There are body image awareness days to help support & build positive thoughts & behavior patterns. TK supports talks & walks on many college campuses to raise awareness of EDs & what can be done if a loved one is suffering.

EDH: How can parents/families best support their child who is away at college?

Kirsten: Keep in touch and in regular communication. Listen in a non-judgmental way. Encourage child to find resources on campus – don’t play therapist. Encourage child based on skills, abilities; enforce that you’ll always be there for them.

EDH: What unique challenges might a student face during their transition to college?

Dr. Kim: Greatly increased academic demands, limited availability of food choices in dining halls, new exercise/eating patterns. Exposure to alcohol/drugs/partying at college, other students active in disordered eating habits to control weight/body shape. Finding and adapting to a whole new social support system. A lot more autonomy, which some students are ill prepared for. Also athletic demands if she/he is a college athlete.

EDH: What are some ideas for supporting peer pressure during college?

Kirsten: Find a few good friends who are aligned with your morals & values & involved in similar activities. If you’re asked or being pressured to do something you don’t want to do, you can go to them for support. Remove yourself from “toxic” people.

Know your triggers, and be conscious of not putting yourself in triggering situations. Have an exit strategy, and plan how you will say “no” if someone asks. Even if you don’t fit in perfectly in college, there is a big beautiful world out there full of all different kinds of people. You’ll find after you’re out, that college was great, but it wasn’t the “Be-all, end-all”.

EDH: How can a college student develop healthy coping mechanisms?

Dr. Kim: If you notice self-destructive coping mechanisms coming into your life, reach out for help. The worst thing you can do is suffer alone and in silence. Develop friendships w/others who practice good self-care w/the way they treat their bodies-in eating, exercise, self-respect.

Attend workshops w/specific take away points & real life skills you can use to combat negative beliefs, attitudes, & behaviors. Get involved with a campus activity that you feel strongly about, that resonates with who you are and what you value in life.

Find ways to use the strength you used back home when you were in high school-spirituality, volunteering, playing sports. Give back to your new college community.

EDH: During the transition to college, who can a college student turn to in times of need or crisis?

Kirsten: A Counseling or Wellness Center, Faith groups on campus, Advisor that you trust and / or Friends that are not toxic.

EDH: Thank you to everyone who participated in our Twitter chat today! And thank you for the great insights Dr. Kim Dennis & Kirsten Haglund.

EDH: For any new college students, we wish you all the best as you embark on your journey ahead. EDH: Please stay tuned for future Twitter chats from EDH!

EDH: If you are in need of resources for an eating disorder, visit our website at https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com or http://www.timberlineknolls.com.