UHS eating disorder program is strong

The serious problem of eating disorders among college students has recently received considerable attention in The Daily Princetonian, with an April 22 front-page article on a survey by the Eating Concerns Peer Educators (ECPE) student group and an April 25 editorial by the 'Prince' that the "University should focus attention on eating disorders."

The entire staff of University Health Services (UHS) would like to commend the members of the ECPE for their efforts to raise awareness of this issue, as we share their strong concern about the prevalence of eating and body image problems among Princeton students. Some further points may be helpful additions to the coverage of the ECPE study and the 'Prince' editorial.

For more than 15 years, Princeton has devoted considerable attention to eating disorders. In fact, the University was one of the first institutions of higher education in the country to develop an eating disorders program with a multidisciplinary team approach. The UHS model of care is based upon collaborative treatment of the student by his or her psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians and nurses. This program, developed by the Counseling and Psychological Service in cooperation with the Medical Services staff, is considered a national model for such programs.

We agree that the University should ensure that no students seeking counseling or medical care should wait longer than necessary for a nonemergency appointment. Clinical care — no matter how superbly delivered — is diminished to the extent that students have trouble accessing it. We must emphasize, however, that any student who asks to be seen urgently will be seen on the same day through our Urgent Care teams.

As to University staffing for eating concerns, we are delighted to note that the recent recommendations of President Tilghman's Task Force on Health and Well-Being focused enormous attention on healthy nutrition and eating at Princeton, led to the institution of the Healthy Eating Lab at Frist Campus Center and recommended that UHS add the equivalent of a full-time clinical nutritionist to its staff. A search is currently underway for that position, which will focus attention on students with eating concerns and disorders, athletes with training and nutrition issues and students with metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes). In addition, the UHS Health Education/Health Promotion staff will be increased this year, which will allow us to extend our outreach programs, including those related to eating concerns, to a broader audience. The recommendations of the Health and Well-Being Task Force can accessed at http://www.princeton.edu/hwbtf/reports.shtml.

Finally, it is important to call attention to the observations and recommendations stressed by the peer educators: While many students reported that their eating concerns and disorders began after their arrival at Princeton, this correlation does not necessarily indicate a causal connection between the Princeton environment and the prevalence of eating disorders. Eating disorders are multiply determined by cultural, biological, psychological and environmental factors and most frequently become manifest during the period of late adolescence and young adulthood. Furthermore, the peer educators' proposed solutions, including mandatory order-ins, additional education during first year student orientation week, and bolstered RA training around eating concerns, represent a solid start.

UHS staff members are available to provide more information for any students with questions or concerns about eating disorders, as well as for confidential evaluation and treatment. To schedule an appointment, call (609) 258-3285. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.princeton.edu/uhs/hi_eating_disorders.html. Dr. Daniel Silverman is Chief Medical Officer for the University. He can be reached at silvermd@princeton.edu.