Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any illness —about 10 to 20 percent. furthermore, there is a .5 percent prevalence nationwide, a statistic that is much greater in the case of both college students and athletes. These circumstances added to the meaning and significance of “Before and After Image,” a discussion panel on eating disorders sponsored by the Student Health Center and Personal Counseling Center.

the panel provided students with information about eating disorders from a variety of professionals in the medical, psychological, and nutrition fields. They gave significant details of symptoms and trends to audience members to look for if they suspect that one of their friends have a eating problem.

Suzanne Bornschein, M.D., medical director at the Student Health Center, spoke about how disorder eating is like any other illness — there is a spectrum of mild and severe circumstances.

in addition, there are different kinds of disorder eating that involve restricting diet as well as binging and purging. it is not only females who suffer from this illness. About 10 percent of those who have an eating disorder are male. it is common in wrestlers who have to make their routine weight requirement.

“Just because you do not fit into a certain criteria does not mean you do not have an eating disorder,” said Bornschein. “You do not have to fit a category in order to be suffering and to be hurt.”

the panel went further than to merely explain the physical symptoms of disorder eating, many of which are common knowledge to the general public. They discussed how people with anorexia nervosa are usually in denial of the seriousness of their actions.

“They have ignored hunger long enough that they lose all understanding of their body,” said Bornschein.

“It becomes a personal competition with themselves, an obsessive-compulsive behavior.”

she also pointed out that people with eating disorders are often motivated, driven individuals who do well in school. They are often the people who would never be suspected of crying out inside.

“It is extremely hard work to do all of these things and to live a normal lifestyle,” said Bornschein. “It takes a lot of drive, which causes a lot of individuals to have anxiety as well.”

Michelle Smith, a dietician in Providence, also reflected on her experience working with people who practice disordered eating.

“It is hard to identify individuals suffering from bulemia because they actually eat,” said Smith. “You can look for signs of them going to the bathroom regularly within 30 minutes or one hour after eating. often they will be strict all day, and binge at night.”

Symptoms also include pushing food around on their plate, cooking for other people, or talking about food and never actually consuming.

the speakers urged students to talk to professionals at the Student Health Center or Personal Counseling Center if they are concerned about their own eating habits or those of a friend.