Dear campus community,
The past two years have been a challenging time for all of us, especially for people struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating. This year’s theme for National Eating Disorders Association’s (NEDA) Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 21 - 27, See the Change, Be the Change, resonates during these tumultuous times.
At UC Berkeley, survey data suggest that more than 5,400 students have experienced an eating disorder in the past year (ACHA/NCHA survey, 2021). It has been widely reported that the pandemic has contributed to increased incidence, risk, and acuity of eating disorders.
In the spirit of change, we are excited to announce the formation of the campus-wide Weight Stigma and Eating Disorder Prevention Task Force. To kick off the work, we are inviting all members of the community to share their thoughts on these topics at tinyurl.com/CalEDSurvey. We look forward to hearing from you!
A few reminders and resources:
Be aware that you can’t tell by someone’s appearance whether they are struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating. Warning signs may include:
- unusual or extreme eating or exercise behaviors
- obsessive focus on food, exercise, or weight
- social isolation or sudden change in attitude or performance
- fatigue, fainting/dizziness
If you believe a student may have an eating disorder, have a compassionate and forthright conversation with them to express your concern, giving specific examples of what you’ve observed and offering resources for support. NEDA offers a wealth of information, including a simple screening tool and recommendationsspecifically for educators.
For students who are struggling, the University Health Services Eating Disorders Team is a good place to start. To schedule an appointment, students should call the UHS clinic desk at (510) 643-7110. For questions or consultation, please call Social Services at (510) 642-6074. Students can also access free virtual drop-in nutrition counseling with UHS dietitians.
Thank you for joining us in awareness and advocacy of this important health issue.
Sincerely,
University Health Services Eating Disorder Team
This message was sent to students, faculty and staff. If you are a manager who supervises UC Berkeley employees without email access, please circulate this information to all.
