NEDA Collegiate Toolkit

Tips on how to support peers and young people who may be affected by eating disorders.

What to look for...

Via tiptoplifestyle.com

Wearing baggy clothes frequently

pedclerk.bsd.uchicago.edu

Dramatic weight loss

42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner (Collins, 1991)

Via dermatologytimes.modernmedicine.com

Presence of calluses on the back of hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting

Via medicalnewstoday.com

Shows extreme concern with body weight or shape

81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat (Mellin et al., 1991)

Via womenshealthmag.com

Skips meals or takes small portions of food at regular meals

Via blog.houstonuptowndentists.com

Teeth are discolored, stained

Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005)

Via fitnessrepublic.com

Excessive, rigid exercise regimen

Via draxe.com

Uses excessive amounts of mouthwash, mints, and/or gum

Of American elementary school girls who read magazines, 69% say that the pictures influence their concept of the ideal body shape. 47% say the pictures make them want to lose weight (Martin, 2010)

Via getfatburningfoods.net

Presence of wrappers or packages of diuretics or laxatives

Via fitday.com

Appearing uncomfortable eating in front of others

Eating Disorders affect up to 30 million Americans and 70 million individuals worldwide. (The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, 2003)

Via wilhelmyk.blogspot.com

Shows unusual swelling of cheeks or jaw area

Via onlymyhealth.com

Withdraws from usual friends and activities

Middle-aged women are the fastest growing segment of the population being diagnosed with eating disorders (PsychCentral, 2013)

Via 2medusa.com

Bony prominence of the hands, cheek bones, eye sockets, collar bone, ribs, etc.

Via nationaleatingdisorders.org

Helping a person will not necessarily change the world. But it can change the world for that person.

NEDA Helpline: 1 [phone]

Get Screened: 3 Minutes Can Save a Life.

Seek help at your local Health Services Organization

If you are struggling or think you might know someone who is struggling seek help immediately. For additional resources, please reference the National Eating Disorders Awareness website.