Free screenings for eating disorders will be available to UH students from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. today in the UH Recreation and Wellness Center as part of National Eating Disorders Screening Day.
Doctoral psychology intern at Counseling and Psychological Services Yu-Ying Lin said the goal of the screenings is to educate people who might be at risk for eating disorders.
"It is important for young adults to learn about eating disorders because, in our society, body image is a major concern for students," Lin said in an e-mail.
The event is sponsored by CAPS and UH Wellness.
Awareness about nutrition is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body image, Lin said.
Students who attend the screening will receive information on what factors influence body image as well as what resources are available for people who may need help.
"The screening services provided in the event can also help students who may have concerns about their eating behaviors to gain more awareness in terms of whether changes or help is needed," Lin said.
Help for students in need is available through CAPS and other Houston-area centers.
Along with the screenings offered by CAPS staff members, students willed be provides with other resources available to them.
Some UH students said they already know people who have been affected by an eating disorder.
"One of my friends was anorexic," psychology junior Bailey Rice said. "My friend did ballet and she was told not to eat. It made her depressed, so she had to see a therapist."
Design freshman Kristi Underwood said a lot of pressures exist in society for both males and females to look thin and attractive.
"[Girls] are trying to keep up with what models look like," Underwood said. "It’s the guys too. I used to date someone who used to throw up after he ate."
Science junior Kim Bagget said most girls don’t like gaining weight, and significant others can sometimes make the situation worse.
"A lot of girls don’t want to gain weight, and boyfriends looking at other girls doesn’t help either," Bagget said. "Once you stop eating you get depressed and start to lose it."
Students who don’t want to be screened can also stop by for a "Pop Culture and Body Image: The Influence of the Media on Body Image and Disordered Eating" workshop at 2 p.m., which will be presented by a CAPS practicum student Jasmine Ross.
Additional reporting by Dominic Dames and Mike Damante
