Eating Challenges | Student Health Services | SIU

It is common for college students to face eating challenges, including intentionally skipping meals, excessive exercise, negative body image, and unhealthy eating habits. These eating challenges may influence our thoughts about ourselves and how we look. SIU’s Eating Concerns Team can help you identify these challenges so you can be successful. If you relate to these situations, take the MindWise self-assessment screening tool to help you determine your next steps. The self-assessment screening tool is completely anonymous and confidential.

This webpage informs students about the assessment and treatment process, support groups, coping tools, and resources.

Assessment

Assessing eating and body image concerns occurs through various providers, including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), our staff dietitian, and our medical staff. Outside of the Eating Concerns Treatment Team, MindWise is an anonymous resource where students can assess their level of risk before making an appointment at CAPS.

CAPS – Through CAPS, students complete an intake appointment in which they are asked questions about various areas of their lives and current symptoms they are experiencing, including eating and body image concerns. At intake, students will complete two surveys before meeting with a provider, which also address many areas, including eating and body image concerns.

Dietitian – During the initial meeting, the dietitian will talk with the student to identify nutrition concerns. The dietitian will collect information regarding the student’s weight, height, eating patterns, and relationship with food. An individualized plan will be created to assist the student in resolving nutrition concerns. The plan will be coordinated with medical and CAPS providers.

Medical – Each patient is evaluated by a licensed medical provider(s) and asked to provide a detailed history followed by a thorough physical examination. Laboratory testing, as well as other testing, may be recommended.

Treatment

Treatment for eating and body image concerns include psychological care through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), meetings with the dietitian on staff, and appointments with the medical provider on staff. Providers speak regarding the care being provided for students.

CAPS – Appointments through Counseling and Psychological Services occur once per week with a provider on the Eating Concerns Treatment Team. If a student has co-occurring concerns, these may be discussed during sessions as well. The student and provider work collaboratively to determine a treatment plan and course of action regarding psychological care.

Dietitian – Meet with student once or twice per month to establish and monitor nutritional needs and provide nutrition education. The dietitian will counsel students on individualized food selections and monitor nutrient intake, weight management and adjust recommended food intake based on dietary needs. The dietitian will guide goal setting to help the student normalize eating and maintain a healthy weight.

Medical – The medical team is composed of a licensed medical provider(s), which may also include a psychiatrist. The medical component is evidenced-based, individualized, and comprehensive. We work alongside patients to treat their eating and body image concerns with the goal to improve their overall health.

Campus Support Group and Resources

Please visit the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) webpage for information about Group Counseling and Support Resources.

Coping Tools and Resources

Tell people when you are feeling triggered. Hiding your urge to restrict or binge means you have to deal with it alone. Develop a list of safe people you can talk to and you won’t deal with the burden of intrusive thoughts on your own.

Practice positive self-talk. Find affirmations that make you feel good and use them often! If others are talking about triggering subjects, fight the instinct to engage in negative self-talk by changing the subject or removing yourself from the conversation when possible.

Create a toolbox of coping skills. Everyone has different things that help them and sometimes it takes different tools to get through a situation. For examples of what has helped others check out this page from healthtalk.org. You can work with your counselor to put together a “Coping Tool Kit” that works for you!

About the Eating Concerns Team

The Eating Concerns Team at SIU is comprised of a:

• Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist
• Physician Associate - MD
• Staff Counselor
• Confidential Advisor
• Fitness Coordinator for Recreational Sports and Services
• Marketing Coordinator