Is your preoccupation with your weight and food affecting your life?

Does the number on your bathroom scale make or break your day? Are you chronically dieting, compulsively exercising, overeating and purging out of fear of getting fat? Is your preoccupation with food, weight and your shape affecting you from enjoying everyday activities-from classes, job and your relationships? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk for developing an eating disorder.

Many college students struggle with the way they look or how they feel about their bodies. One out of three normal dieters progress to pathological dieting. By recognizing the symptoms of eating disorders and getting help, women and men can end their preoccupation with food and focus their efforts on developing healthy eating and exercise habits.

February 21-27, 2010, is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. As part of this national observance, the counseling office is hosting a table in the Central Commons over the lunch hour Tuesday, Feb. 23, and Thursday, Feb. 25, for interested people to pick up information on eating disorders. Or students, staff and faculty can visit Counseling at DCTC click Mental Health Resources to take an anonymous screening on eating disorders. Or simply click Mental Health Screening to begin the confidential screening process.