About one in every eight college students has an eating disorder, counselor Kasee Matters said.
While most people monitor their weight and body image, it's when those concerns become unhealthy or obsessive that students might develop eating disorders, she said.
Ball State University Counseling and Health Services and Student Government Association will have Eating Disorders Awareness Week to educate students on the nature of eating disorders and how to get treatment if needed, she said.
The theme for the week is "Be Comfortable in Your Genes," Matters said.
Kim Gorman, assistant director for training and psychologist, said one way to fight an eating disorder is to build self-esteem.
"You need to get rid of the critics around you and the critic inside you," she said. "Then you can appreciate yourself for who you are, not just how you look."
Matters said each day had a themed message, such as "Mirrorless Monday," during which students are encouraged to cover up all of their mirrors.
Students from diverse backgrounds will respond to questions during a panel discussion Thursday, Matters said. Representatives from Counseling and Health Services will provide informational sessions during the week. The sessions will cover healthy behaviors such as eating right, exercising and building positive self-esteem, she said.
Eating disorder screenings will help determine who is at risk for developing an eating disorder, Matters said. The screenings are short assessments to see how comfortable participants are with their bodies, she said.
Gorman said an important part of the week was identifying people who need intervention and treatment.
Some people might not fit all of the criteria to be diagnosed with an eating disorder, but might still be practicing unhealthy eating habits and have body image issues, she said.
Eating disorders are typically characterized by unhealthy eating patterns, negative body image, low self-esteem and an overemphasis on body weight and shape, she said.
Bulimia and anorexia are the most popular among college students in America, Gorman said.
Eating disorders are especially popular among women, she said.
"There's a stigma about men and eating disorders," she said. "People see them as women's problems and look down on men who come forth with these issues."
No matter what eating disorder a student suffers from, talking about their issues and forming positive self-esteem are the first steps to recovery, Gorman said.
"You have to be aware of the messages we get from our culture," she said. "You can't let them influence you too much to where you are unhealthy because of it."
This week's events"Mirrorless Monday"
- Screenings: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Teachers College, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Bracken Library
- Informational Session: 5 p.m. in the Pineshelf Room in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center
- Screening: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Atrium
- Informational Session: 5 p.m. in AT 171
- Informational Session: 5 p.m. in the Student Center, Pineshelf Room
- Screenings: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Atrium, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Bracken Library
- Panel Discussion: 5 p.m. in the Pineshelf Room
- Movie Night: 8 p.m. "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"
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