Jonelle HaykelBetween two and five percent of Americans will experience binge eating at some point in their lifetime. As a result of statistics like the previous one, the Counseling Center is giving students the chance to get screened for eating disorders.
Eating disorder screenings will be held during two time slots on Thursday, Feb. 26. One session will be in the cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the other in Jazzman’s Caf from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. According to SuzanneMallaghan-Rasco, the psychologist and director of the Counseling Center, the screenings, “Give students some education and awareness about the disorders.”
These screenings are confidential and are a way to see where the individual would stand in terms of healthy eating. Also, it provides the students the opportunity to learn about the different ways that the eating disorders themselves can ultimately affect a person’s health. After the person gets their results to the test, they have the choice to do one of two things. The student could go and get help or just look at the research that is given to them at the screenings. In the past, an eating disorder group was started for those who wanted to join.
Since early adolescence and young adulthood are pivotal times for these disorders to begin, the Counseling Center holds many screenings to counteract the health-related problems. Earlier in the year the mood disorder screening was held and will be brought back to the Health Fair on Wednesday, March 31, along with an alcohol screening.
Although eating disorders mostly start with young women, it is beginning to become increasingly common among males. Out of those who binge eat, 35 percent are male, which proves that anyone is at risk.
For more information regarding any disorders or upcoming screenings, contact the Counseling Center at extension 8566.
Posted to the web by: Jonelle Haykel
