Happy fall, Hawkeyes!
You may have heard about the “Freshman 15” myth, the belief that students typically gain 15 pounds during their first year of college due to unhealthy lifestyles. However, the reality is that changes in body size during the transition to college are often natural and may reflect the body’s shift from adolescence to young adulthood. Nevertheless, pressures from social media, family, and friends can influence students’ views on weight change and their eating habits, impacting their self-esteem and body image.
The start of the semester often brings many changes, such as moving to a new place, adjusting to new classes, and forming new social connections. For some students, these changes can affect their eating behaviors, feelings about food, and body image. While these adjustments are not necessarily problematic, if you find yourself preoccupied with thoughts about body image, food, eating, or exercise — especially if these thoughts begin to affect your behavior or mood — it may be time to seek support.
University Counseling Service heightens eating disorder services
University Counseling Service (UCS) has introduced a dedicated Eating Disorder Services Coordinator, Dr. Holly Nicely. Nicely is responsible for supporting students with eating-related concerns by coordinating care for students and organizing continued education trainings on eating disorder assessment and services for all staff. Additionally, there are lots of resources online, including your local mental health and medical provider, that can help support you. Check out the resources here.
UCS supports mini food pantries in main and embedded locations
Food insecurity is closely related to disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders. To support those who may be facing food insecurity, USC has collaborated with UI Food Pantry to establish mini food pantries at the UCS Westlawn main office and its embedded locations at College of Law and Tippie College of Business for UCS clients and staff.
The embedded therapist office at University Housing and Dining now provides hygiene products for students, while the College of Dentistry has an established food pantry for students. There are plans to expand the mini food pantry to the Iowa Veteran Education, Transition, and Support office in Calvin Hall.
BIEDA fights the diet culture on campus
Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness (BIEDA) is a student organization that focuses on promoting eating disorder awareness and resources on campus. If you are interested in being involved with students who are working against diet culture and working to support students around body image and disordered eating, check out BIEDA and some of its upcoming events.
BIEDA Week: Oct. 14-18, 2024 – Every day this week, BIEDA will be holding events. The BIEDA week will kick off with a Speaker Event by former Football Player, Patrick Devenny, on his journey to recover from an eating disorder as an athlete. Check out the BIEDA Instagram (@uibieda) or find the flyer below for more information.
You can also email Studorg-bieda@uiowa.edu to be added to the list serv or for more information about events.
