Eating disorders at university
So just how prevalent are eating disorders at universities? “A 2016 YouGov/Youth Insight poll suggested that 1.8% of undergraduate UK university students (around 31,500) would self-report having experienced an eating disorder within the previous 2 years (Unite Students, 2016). This is likely to be an underestimate as it is based on self-reporting,” says Rebecca.
There are many reasons why going to university could encourage an eating disorder to develop.
Going to university can include a number of the environmental factors mentioned above which act as triggers, such as leaving the home environment, pressure to perform in exams, or peer pressure. It may be the first time the person is independent in their food choices, so this gives greater freedom for them to engage in disordered eating behaviours
Rebecca Willgress, Head of Communications at Beat
Jane agrees that the unsettling nature of starting university – and with it, the independence – can act as a catalyst.
“Newly arriving at uni can be a very lonely and unsettling time, even traumatic for some. Leaving home, friends and familiarity if going further afield to uni, trying to make friends and fit in, coping with new academic pressures, and a new-found freedom without some of the boundaries that school and home life can provide – all of these can be very difficult for young people to cope with, and these feelings can be transferred to eating or not eating,” she says.
There are other unique issues at play too, including learning from peers, a lack of money and a new – sometimes fragmented – timetable.
“Being in close proximity to others – think halls and shared kitchens – can mean that others’ eating habits (which may be disordered) are copied, or the anxieties of those with disordered eating can mean that they are embarrassed to be seen cooking or eating in front of others,” says Jane.
She adds, “Money and lack of it can also make food a problem. The natural rhythm of the day and timetables are not so set as they are at school and the natural times to eat can be disturbed as students party and drink, sleep in, therefore missing breakfast and even lunch.”
How are eating disorders addressed at university?
Given the prevalence of eating disorders – particularly among the undergraduate age population – and the negative consequences, we want to find out how eating disorders are currently being addressed at university.
“The current protocol and levels of support that universities offer seem to vary across institutions. However, we do not know enough about this to be able to comment. There are guidelines such as ‘fitness to study’, but we are unsure how far this guidance is followed,” says Rebecca.
“Many universities have become very interested in mental health generally – taking the issue and support seriously – but lack funding and person power,” adds Jane.
Unfortunately, that concern over mental health in general does not always result in directly addressing the issues surrounding eating disorders.
“I also know that many feel that eating disorders are a ‘hot potato’ and considered too demanding as they need medical monitoring and treatment alongside therapeutic interventions for a considerable length of time, a time not available from the universities,” says Jane.
As highlighted in our post looking into the causes of fragmented student mental health services, Jane points out that coordinating care for eating disorders can be challenging.
“We also have issues with regards medical, as the records have to transfer from university to home GP in the vacations and back again in term time making consistency of care very hard. Eating disorders are also very resistant – so students are loathe to come forward. Interestingly we have a lot of cases of medical students with eating disorders but they say they cannot come forward for fear of risking their degrees,” she says.
