• Preoccupation with weight loss, food, calories, or dieting
• Refuses to eat certain foods, and often eliminates whole food groups (carbohydrates, fats, etc.)
• Makes excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food
• Develops food rituals (e.g., eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate)
• Withdraws from friends and previously pleasurable activities and becomes more isolated and secretive
• Extreme concern with body size and shape
• Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
• Extreme mood swings

• Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down
• Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.)
• Menstrual irregularities — primary or secondary amenorrhea (not starting the menstrual cycle or the loss of the menstrual cycle) or only experiencing a period when taking hormonal supplements.
• Difficulties concentrating
• Abnormal laboratory findings (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low white and red blood cell counts) though some people with eating disorders do not have any laboratory abnormalities
• Dizziness, especially upon standing
• Fainting/syncope
• Feeling cold all the time
• Sleep problems
• Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of inducing vomiting)
• Dental problems
• Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails
• Fine hair on body (lanugo)
• Muscle weakness
• Yellow skin (in context of eating large amounts of carrots)
•  Cold, mottled hands and feet or swelling of feet
• Poor wound healing
• Impaired immune functioning

• Dramatic weight loss although, people with disordered eating or eating disorders are not always underweight and can be in a larger body size.
• Lying about how much they've eaten, when they've eaten, or their weight
• Eating a lot of food very fast
• Going to the bathroom a lot after eating
• Exercising a lot
• Avoiding eating with others
• Cutting food into small pieces or eating very slowly
• Wearing loose or baggy clothes to hide their weight loss

• Educate Yourself: Learn accurate information about eating disorders to better understand and communicate effectively.
• Prepare Your Message: Practice or write down what you want to say to reduce anxiety and stay focused.
• Choose the Right Setting: Talk privately in a calm, unhurried setting to avoid embarrassment or defensiveness.
• Be Honest: Speak openly and sincerely about your concerns; avoiding the issue won’t help.
• Use “I” Statements: Share your observations in a non-accusatory way to reduce defensiveness.
• Stick to the Facts: Focus on specific behaviors and explain your concerns calmly and clearly.
• Be Compassionate but Firm: Show care without enabling harmful behavior; avoid making promises you can't keep.
• Reduce Stigma: Reassure them that struggling with an eating disorder is nothing to be ashamed of and that recovery is possible.
• Avoid Simple Solutions: Don’t minimize the problem with unhelpful advice like “Just eat.”
• Expect Mixed Reactions: Be ready for denial, anger, or defensiveness; stay calm and keep the conversation open.
• Promote Professional Help: Encourage and assist them in finding a qualified therapist or doctor for effective treatment.
• Tell Someone: If necessary, inform a trusted adult or professional early—early intervention can save lives.

UConn’s Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for students struggling with eating disorders or concerns about eating patterns. Our Eating Disorder Team includes medical practitioners, registered dietitians, and mental health professionals who collaborate to address the medical, nutritional, and psychological aspects of recovery from a variety of eating disorders including

anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other disordered eating patterns.

Our Multidisciplinary Approach:

• Medical Practitioners – Monitor physical health, address medical complications, order and review labs, and coordinate with specialists when needed.
• Registered Dietitians – Provide individualized nutrition counseling, meal planning support, and education on balanced eating and body trust.
• Mental Health Professionals – Offer individual therapy, group therapy, and skills-based interventions to address the emotional and behavioral components of eating disorders.

Making an Appointment:

You can connect with any member of the Eating Disorder Team directly—no referral required. We encourage students to engage with all three disciplines for the most effective support.

Medical Appointments:

• Phone: 860-486-4700, option 1, option 1
• Location: SHaW Medical Services – 234 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT

Nutrition Counseling:

• Phone: 860-486-4700, option 1, option 1
• Location: SHaW Medical Services – 234 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT

Mental Health Counseling:

• Phone: 860-486-4700, option 1, option 2
• Location: SHaW Mental Health – Arjona Building, 337 Mansfield Road, Storrs, CT

Additional Support on Campus:

• SHAPE (Students Helping to Achieve Positive Esteem) – Peer-led education and outreach to promote body positivity and self-esteem. Learn More (not an eating disorders support group)

• Health at Every Size (HAES)
• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
• Academy for Eating Disorders
• International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation
• DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria by Eating Disorder Type

• NEDA Screening Tool (ages 13+)
• Mental Health America Eating Disorder Questionnaire

• Renfrew Center: Website | Call 1-800-RENFREW 
• Monte Nido: Website | Call 888-288-1253 
• Eating Disorder Hope – CT Directory: Website 
• Center for Discovery: Website 
• Cambridge Eating Disorder Center: Website