Eating Concerns and Body Image

Help at Brown

Brown University seeks to foster the intellectual, emotional, and physical well-being of students. In keeping with this goal, the University realizes the need for support and education around the topics of weight, body image, disordered eating, food preoccupation, and exercise obsession.

We have found that the pressures which Brown students experience can contribute to an increased emphasis on food, body image, and exercise. Brown students are faced with new living and eating situations. In a small community like ours, students often compare their eating and exercise habits to others. Unfortunately, these comparisons can lead to obsessions and unhealthy behaviors.

Eating disorders affect people emotionally, socially, and physically. Therefore, individualized treatment utilizes the expertise of a variety of clinical specialists. These professionals are available to you as a Brown student:

Physicians/Physician Assistants/Nurse Practitioners: for medical evaluations, irregular menses, bone health, and anemia

Psychotherapists: for counseling around stress, depression, and anxiety, and for referrals to therapists in the community

Psychiatrists: for evaluation of cognitive and emotional symptoms, and for medication recommendations

Nutritionist: for assistance in addressing barriers to healthy, normal eating and activity patterns, as well as achieving a healthy, natural body weight 

Getting Help

There is hope. Many people fully recover from eating disorders and disordered eating. If you have eating issues, we encourage you to get help. There are many resources listed below-contact one of them. Do it NOW while you are thinking of it and your courage is up. Help is available. 

On-Campus Resources

Health Services Dietitian 401-863-3558
Confidential information or care is available through individual appointments with a Registered Dietitian.  Students can discuss personal eating concerns, as well as any concerns they may have regarding a friend, a roommate, or a teammate. There are no fees for these services.

University Health Services 401.863-3953
Confidential information and care is available on a walk-in, or by scheduled appointment basis. Care is available for initial, current or past disordered eating patients. There are no fees for medical care at Health Services. However, there may be fees incurred if laboratory tests, medications, specialist or emergency hospital care is needed.

Counseling and Psychological Services 401.863-3476 
Confidential appointments are available at Counseling and Psychological Services for students concerned about their eating issues. Guidance is also available for those who are concerned about a friend, roommate, or teammates' eating. Services include crisis intervention, short-term psychotherapy and referrals. There are no fees for appointments at Counseling and Psychological Services.

PHONE NUMBERS
  • 401.863-2794
    Health Promotion
  • 401.863-3953
    Health Services
  • 401.863-3558
    Nutrition Appointment Line
  • 401.863-6000
    Sexual Assault Response Line
  • 401.863-4111
    EMS
  • 401.863-3476
    Counseling & Psychological Services
  • 401.863-4111
    DPS