Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that can lead to drastic weight loss as a result of self-imposed semi-starvation. A person with bulimia nervosa is often at normal weight but uses binge-eating and purging as a means of weight control. The number of people affected by anorexia and bulimia has increased as society has placed more emphasis on being thin. Both disorders are most common in adolescent girls and young women, but they also can occur in males and older individuals. Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences.

Symptoms and signs of Anorexia Nervosa include:

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level.
• Increased fear of weight gain or being fat.
• Feeling fat or overweight despite dramatic weight loss.
• Loss of menstrual periods.
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape.

Symptoms and signs of Bulimia Nervosa include:

• Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging.
• Feeling out of control during a binge.
• Purging after a binge, self-induced vomiting, laxative, diet pills, excessive exercise, etc.
• Frequent dieting.
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape.

Symptoms and signs of Binge Eating/Compulsive Overeating include:

• Usually overweight or obese, with frequent weight changes.
• Feels out of control.
• Depressed, low self esteem.

Symptoms and signs of Disordered Eating include:

• Poor body image.
• Tired and weak.
• Weight changes.
• Thinks a lot about food and weight.
• Eats too little or too much at one time.
• Skips meals.

Symptoms of signs of Female Athlete Triad include:

• Preoccupation with food and weight.
• Low body weight due to disordered eating (binge/purge and/or restricting).
• Tired and weak.
• Decreased athletic performance.
• Depression.
• Loss of menstrual cycle.
• Brittle, weak bones.
• Frequent injuries, such as stress fractures.

Symptoms and signs of Muscle Dysmorphia include:

• Distorted body image – person feels small, in spite of being muscular.
• Feels ashamed of body.
• Uses anabolic steroids, herbal, and dietary supplements.
• Restricts diet – eats a very high protein diet.
• Weight lifting and related activities become the focus of life.
• Must exercise everyday.

Total recovery is possible if the disorder is diagnosed early. Left untreated, eating disorders can lead to death. Treatment of eating disorders involves medical intervention, psychotherapy, nutrition counseling and family counseling, in some cases. If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, may have an eating disorder, please contact the UND Eating Disorders Intervention Team (EDIT). You can access EDIT through UND Student Health Services Health Promotion Office at 777-2097, the UND Counseling Center at 777-2127, or the Student Health Services Clinic at 777-4500.

• Click here to complete an on-line eating disorders self assessment
• Click here for a complete description of the UND Eating Disorders Intervention Team
• Click here for a listing of campus and community eating disorders resources

Resource Links:

• University Counseling Center (http://www.und.edu/dept/counsel/homepage.htm)
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (www.anad.org)
• Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. (www.edap.org)
• Campus Blues (http://www.campusblues.com/healthy_eating.asp)
• Eating Disorders Association (http://www.edauk.com/young_home.htm)
• Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center. (www.edreferral.com)
• Food and Nutrition Information Center (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000017.html)