University News
WIU Eating Concerns Coalition Mission: Treat and Educate
March 26, 2009
MACOMB, IL -- In the United States as many as 10 million females and one million males are struggling -- at times fighting life-and-death battles -- with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with binge-eating disorder. Compiled by the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org), these jarring statistics reveal a darker side to the diet preoccupation of a nation immersed in weight-loss fads and a culture that holds physical appearance above many other human attributes.
The large numbers of young people -- particularly women -- affected, as well as the subsequent negative health effects on college-age individuals suffering from such eating disorders, are among the reasons faculty and staff members at Western Illinois University started the Be Healthy, Be Strong: Eating Concerns Coalition, said Dr. Sujata Karkare, a physician at WIU's Beu Health Center.
"After some WIU faculty and staff attended a state university consortium, where we learned that other universities in Illinois have similar groups that address this issue for college students, we decided to establish this group. The coalition provides a way for various physical and mental health-related entities at the University to work together to help students on a one-to-one basis, if possible," she noted.
Along with Beu Health Center staff members, other WIU health professionals contributing to the Be Healthy, Be Strong: Eating Concerns Coalition are from the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Resource Center; the athletic training program in Western's kinesiology department; the dietetics, fashion merchandising and hospitality (DFMH) department; Campus Recreation; and the University Counseling Center. According to the group's mission statement, its main purpose is "to offer services for the prevention, intervention and treatment of all related eating problems."
"At this point, we're developing a plan to help individuals who may be suffering from eating disorders or other problems stemming from diet and body-image issues," explained Dr. Karkare. "We're expecting referrals to come to the University Counseling Center or to Beu. Once we've received a referral at Beu, for instance, we would manage the medical part, and then the University Counseling Center would provide support for the mental health issues related to the eating disorder or concern. The dietetics department would then help by providing information related to an individual's diet."
Dr. Karkare also noted that other departments and organizations at WIU might be involved with referring and treating students.
"AOD, for example, can provide support if a student with a diet issue or eating disorder faces additional problems with substance abuse," she added.
Formed in late Fall 2008, the Be Healthy, Be Strong: Eating Concerns Coalition is also on a mission to educate the WIU community about healthy eating habits and to create awareness about eating disorders and the mental and physical suffering and problems they cause students.
"Many times, a faculty or staff member, or even another student, may recognize a problem with a student or friend, but he or she may not know how to approach the individual. This group will help provide information and be a resource for WIU," Dr. Karkare said.
For those on Facebook, the Be Healthy, Be Strong: Eating Concerns Coalition has created a Facebook page, which serves as place for students to get and post helpful information about diet and nutrition.
"We have some links up there that point to online literature and resources from such organizations as the National Eating Disorders Association or the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders," noted Erin O'Brien, a coalition member and physician's assistant at Beu Health Center. "We'll also use the Facebook page to help promote Be Healthy, Be Strong: Eating Concerns Coalition's events, as well as other eating and nutrition related events and activities, on Western's campuses."
Visit the Be Healthy, Be Strong: Eating Concerns Coalition's Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Macomb-IL/Western-Illinois-University-Eating-Concerns-Coalition/35200109968. For more information, contact Beu Health Center at (309) 298-1888 or the University Counseling Center at (309) 298-2453.
Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: