Car accidents, sickness and suicide are not the leading cause of death for females between the ages of 15 and 24 — eating disorders are, said Miles Meason of the University of Idaho’s Counseling and Testing Center.
Meason said he and his colleagues hope to spread awareness on campus by taking part in National Eating Disorder Screening Day from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Idaho Commons.
“We want to increase (and) create awareness campus-wide, and for individuals to be able to identify the dangers of eating disorders,” Meason said. “They have the highest mortality rate than any other illness.”
Meason said National Eating Disorder Day is meant to educate and screen potentally at-risk college students for eating disorders. He said the screening is low-key and the CTC will also have a table providing information about eating disorders.
“Most of the people that fall under the eating disorder category don’t get help,” Meason said. “The screening is a beneficial way for individuals to have their questions answered and connect with the correct services if they are needed.”
Verna Bergman, UI dietitian, said because college-aged people are in a vulnerable part of their lives they are more susceptible to eating disorders.
“It’s important for students to be educated on this topic and I encourage anyone who has questions or is just curious to stop by the booth,” Bergman said.
Bergman said working toward a more acceptable body image and accepting oneself as a person, not related to weight may help decrease eating disorder risk.
“This is a time for people to approach us if they have questions about eating disorders, to get all their questions answered and their concerns addressed,” Bergman said. “It’s better to get the help of a health professional early, because if it is left untreated it can cause serious mental illness.”.
Meason said students can gain more than awareness from the information and screening.
“Eating disorders are a huge part of people’s lives. It’s just better to be informed about this issue and get services if they are needed,” he said. “Students might learn something that’s beneficial to their own lives, even if they don’t have a disorder.”
Bergman said if students are unable to attend the screening, they can stop by the CTC and have any questions or concerns addressed.