Eating disorders to be studied
By Kristi Walker
Staff Reporter

Meredith Hinton, a junior fashion merchandising major, said she sees a big problem with eating disorders, specifically anorexia, at TCU.

No attempt has been made in the past to determine the actual numbers of students facing these deadly disorders, said Marcy Paul, Women’s Resource Center coordinator. However, a survey is currently being developed to determine the education on campus about the disorders and the number of students who have had or are having personal struggles with such diseases, she said.

“I see a problem, but we cannot determine if there has been an increase or decrease in eating disorders,” she said.

The survey is being developed by Celia Moncrief, a sophomore psychology major and recovering anorexic.

“I really have a heart for helping people,” Moncrief said. “People don’t know how dangerous (eating disorders) can be.”

Moncrief said this is a topic close to her heart since she has battled the illness personally and has had a friend die from an eating disorder.

“Most people chose to ignore addressing eating disorders because it is a hard topic to bring up,” she said.

Moncrief said the survey will go to all students to determine the size of the problem and the university awareness and education of anorexia nervosa, bulimia and compulsive eating.

Vice President of the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Christopher Athas said 11 percent of college women suffer from anorexia.

“This is an illness that pervades society,” Athas said. “We need to live in a society where we accept ourselves as we are and others as they are. We need to promote naturalism.”

Currently in America, 7 million women and 1 million men suffer from anorexia, bulimia, muscle dismorphia or another form of eating disorder. Eighty-six percent of those report the onset of their disease by age 20, according to the Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

Hinton said she sees a problem with anorexia within her major and the university as a whole.
“I think TCU is very competitive for women,” Hinton said. “There are so many gorgeous girls here that it is difficult to distinguish yourself from everyone else.”

TCU offers help to those suffering from eating disorders through Disordered Eating Networking Team. DENT’s aim is to raise awareness of eating disorders and assist those who are recovering from the diseases, Paul said.

For more information about eating disorders, visit www.ANAD.org or call (847) 831-3438. For on-campus assistance call Marcy Paul at (817) 257-7855.