[author title=”About the Author” author_id=”256″]

By Sonni Simmons

Community News Editor

CSUSM’s HOPE and Wellness Center emphasized the importance of eating disorder awareness by hosting a number of educational and spirit-lifting events across campus.

Eating Disorder Awareness week was celebrated during the week of Feb. 23 to Feb. 27 on CSUSM’s campus. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) chose the theme “I Have No Idea…” for this year’s awareness week to illustrate the importance of early detection and intervention because of the common misinterpretation of eating disorder symptoms as insignificant. Bringing awareness to college-aged individuals is especially important because of the prominence of eating disorders on college campuses.

“[Eating disorders] have proven to be prominent on a college campus due to the mindset that many college students have to fit in and different assumptions that have grown, such as the Freshman 15,” said Victoria Sandoval, Peer Educator and President of Active Minds.

Many events were held in order to raise awareness for issues such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders as well as all manifestations of body image obsession.

The events held on campus included “Eating Disorders Screening Day and Health Fair” where students could be screened for symptoms of eating disorders, Stephanie Covington Armstrong’s discussion of her book “Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat – A Story of Bulimia” and Benjamin O’Keefe’s reception and keynote, highlighting his struggle with body image as an Afro-American gay male and his global movement against sized-based discrimination, especially with the Abercrombie & Fitch clothing company.

“Eating disorders do not discriminate and can affect anyone regardless of race, age, gender or sexuality,” said Cheryl Berry, Mental Health Educator with the Student Health and Wellness Center. “Positive self-esteem, body confidence, healthy nutrition and knowing the signs and symptoms of eating disorders can protect an individual against eating disorders.”

Knowledge and awareness of the dangers of eating disorders is the first step to the physical and mental well-being of CSUSM students and individuals everywhere.

“I firmly believe that by knowing the signs and symptoms of different eating disorders as a college campus, we can significantly aid in bringing the awareness that eating disorders need,” Sandoval said.

If  you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder, visit the Student Health and Counseling Services Center or contact NEDA’s 24-hour anonymous helpline at 1-800-931-2273.