Dear campus community,
Whether you know it or not, you probably know someone with an eating disorder. In the United States, more than 30 million people will suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder during their lifetime. College is an especially risky time: 95% of eating disorders develop between the ages of 12 and 25.
In honor of Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 25 - March 3), you are invited to attend a special event on Friday, March 1, 12-1, featuring body image expert, author, and Cal alum, Connie Sobczak. This free event is open to faculty, staff, and students. Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/calembodied.
For students, UHS is offering a series of events, including free drop-in nutrition counseling, food and body positive food demonstrations, and tabling at various campus locations, throughout the week. See the complete schedule here
Eating disorders affect everyone, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, culture, size, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation. For students who are struggling, the UHS multidisciplinary Eating Disorders Team is here to help. To schedule, students should call UHS clinic desk at (510) 643-7110. For questions or consultation, please call team dietitian Toby Morris at (510) 642-5075.
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. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) offers a wealth of information, including a simple screening tool and recommendations specifically for educators.
Thank you for joining University Health Services in shining a light on this difficult but important topic.
Sincerely,
University Health Services Eating Disorder Team
If you are a manager who supervises UC Berkeley employees without email access, please circulate this information to all.
