For many, college serves as the first time that students are graced with true autonomy, independently determining how they spend their time. A sense of control can, however, seem far more elusive than many originally anticipate. With such a plethora of moving parts at Dartmouth, such as the fast-paced quarter system and the D-Plan, maintaining a sense of control appears almost impossible.
Oftentimes, the emergence of eating disorders is related to a need for influence over personal matters. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders has suggested that 86 percent of women in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder by age 20, and further research has shown that Ivy League students are at an even higher risk for developing these conditions. Such a problem is not specific to women either, as the pressures of the College also affect men, and can easily manifest as male eating disorders as well.
This is a conversation that almost never happens in public, but is almost constantly happening in private. Despite the issue's prevalence, there seems to be a blanket of silence muting its discussion. Eating disorders seem to carry with them an implicit sense of shame that only compounds its victims' alienation, and as such, perhaps the best way to move toward a better solution is allowing ourselves to speak candidly about the problem. While the College offers a number of great programs aimed at students with body image anxiety and has recently hired a second nutritionist to serve as an additional resource, the question remains: can top-down control even begin to address the issue?
Despite the existence of current programs addressing eating disorders, they seem ineffective in combating the endemic shame associated with the subject. Equally important as the availability of resources is the recognition of the problem they are meant to solve. These programs are ineffective if students do not feel comfortable enough to utilize them.
Together, we are obligated to create an atmosphere of safety within Dartmouth, one that begins with the capacity to speak openly about its problems. Welcoming another nutritionist to our College is a step in the right direction, but beyond hiring and bureaucratic initiatives, we are individually obligated to do more.
Recognition may be the first step, but we must also vocalize our awareness, rather than quietly acknowledge its existence. Programs like "Take Back the Night," designed to raise awareness around sexual violence are widely advertised, and similar initiatives can be taken by organizations combatting eating disorders. Existing efforts like "No Diet Day" should be expanded to match the scale of the problem, creating a sense of unity and support throughout the College. In finding the courage to talk about the problem, we will begin to combat the pressures of silence and shame.
