“It’s time to talk about it.” That’s the theme for this year’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which takes place Feb. 21-27. Ithaca College will present a panel discussion on eating disorders and recovery and a Wellness Wednesday lecture during that week.

Students coming to see me for a nutrition consultation are often concerned about a friend or a roommate who is so obsessed with food and calories that she or he has begun to neglect friends, classes and usual activities. The friend is isolating him or herself and exercising excessively, or may be unusually depressed and irritable, and has lost a lot of weight. Sometimes the person in my office expresses these concerns about him- or herself.

These individuals may be suffering from eating disorders, which are complex and serious illnesses that can profoundly affect a person’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. They should not be ignored.

Eating disorders are characterized by an intense preoccupation with food, weight and body shape. Anorexia nervosa takes the form of self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Bulimia nervosa includes cycles of binge eating and purging, and binge eating disorder includes episodes of   binge eating with no purging. An eating disorder can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race, age or socioeconomic status.

Some do not meet the specific criteria for eating disorders, but are uncomfortable with eating and their body image. This is referred to as “disordered eating.” They deal with an unhealthy relationship with food and negative attitudes about weight and body shape. Their preoccupation with these concerns affects the quality of their daily activities and robs them of a full, rich life. If these issues are not addressed, they may linger for years, or, in the worst case, the behaviors can progress into a life-threatening eating disorder.

College campuses are particularly fertile grounds for eating disorders. It is estimated that 20 to 30 percent of college students have an eating disorder, so individuals on campus suffering from one are not as alone as they may think. For many students, it’s their first time living away from home, and the pressure to succeed academically and socially can sometimes leave them feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Add to that a culture that reveres ultra-thin, toned bodies, and vulnerable individuals can slip into eating disorders.

People with eating disorders tend to be secretive about them.  They may be silent about their suffering and fear reaching out for help, or may think that they should be able to get better on their own through will power. The reality is, however, that they have a real and dangerous illness which may require professional help.

The first step toward recovery is seeking help. The college’s health care facilities offer services for people suffering from eating disorders. Care is always individualized and confidential, and it involves a multidisciplinary team approach that addresses the medical, mental health and nutritional aspects of the disorder.

To get help for yourself or for a friend, contact the Health Center at 274-3177, the Counseling Center at 274-3136, or leave a confidential message directly with Saloff-Coste at 277-2053.

For more information about eating disorders, attend the panel discussion at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Ithaca Falls Meeting Room in the Campus Center.

Cathy J. Saloff-Coste, MS, RD, CDN,  is the Ithaca College nutritionist. E-mail her at cjsaloffcoste@fastmail.fm.