Columbia University Health Services

Eating disorders are not about food, but food is what people with eating disorders abuse.

The term “eating disorders” refers to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. These syndromes are characterized by extreme disruptions in eating and intense anxiety over body weight and appearance. Sometimes these disorders can overlap.  

Eating disorders are psychological disorders which have physical manifestations. In fact, severe medical complications—which can sometimes even be life-threatening—occur. 

Anorexia Nervosa is defined as a refusal to maintain weight at at least 85% of expected body weight. Intentional starvation, extreme weight loss, and excessive exercise are quite common. This is accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight, or becoming fat. There is a distorted perception of body shape.

People with eating disorders often know the caloric value of foods, read food labels obsessively, and keep records of food intake, often overestimating their daily calories. Many rituals may surround eating, such as cutting foods a specific number of times or eating foods in a particular order. Secrecy and lying are frequently used to shield an eating disorder. Like eating patterns, exercising may become compulsive, with strict adherence to a particular schedule. Severe anxiety results when a schedule or pattern is disrupted.

Here is a more detailed list of what we are talking about:

• Hormone imbalances (which may cause women to stop menstuating and develop osteoporosis)
• Low body weight
• Amenorrhea (absence of  menstrual period for three or more cycles)
• Constipation
• Slowed heart rate
• Low body temperature
• Fatigue
• Cold intolerance
• Dry skin/yellow-orange skin color/blue nail beds
• Hair loss/brittle nails
• Fine downy hair growth all over body

The medical evaluation of someone with an eating disorder must be individualized.

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Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) supports the psychological and emotional well-being of the campus community by providing counseling, consultation, and crisis intervention. For more information go to Making Appointments.

Eating Concerns Support Group
A group for women with problematic behaviors associated with food. For more information go to Workshops, Groups, and Training.

Primary Care Medical Services (PCMS) provides comprehensive care for routine, urgent, and chronic medical needs for students. Primary Care also provides sexual health, reproductive, and gynecological services, LGBTQ health care, immunizations, and referrals. For more information go to Making Appointments

Eating Disorders Team
Students struggling with an eating disorder should contact Health Services at Columbia as a resource. Following national standards for excellent eating disorder care, Health Services at Columbia has for over a decade maintained a multidisciplinary team of experts, comprised of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, and a registered dietician. The team works together to establish a treatment plan for each student.