Health & Wellness provides services, education, and support to help you address eating concerns and body image.
To find events and programs related to body positivity, eating concerns, nutrition, and more, visit:
Events, Workshops, and Classes
Are you a student interested in eating concerns and body image that wants to get involved with Health & Wellness? Learn more:
Medical Care
Our clinicians can evaluate, diagnose and provide medical care for individuals with eating and nutrition concerns. Make an appointment online or by calling (603) 862-2856.
Individual Counseling/Education
We offer individual sessions with our nutrition educator/counselor and registered dietitian, Laila Hammam.
During your appointment, the nutrition educator/counselor will...
- Talk with you and acknowledge your food issues and concerns in a safe and confidential atmosphere
- Review the impact the eating concern(s)/eating disorder may have on your physical, emotional and cognitive health
- Work closely with you and medical and psychological services to provide comprehensive care as needed
- Help you develop a healthy relationship with food and normalized eating
- Collaborate with you to personalize nutritional goals that are designed according to your readiness to change and your stage of recovery
- Share additional resources
Appointments
- All visits are confidential
- This service is available to all UNH students and is offered at no cost for full-time students who have paid their tuition/fees.
- Make an appointment online or by calling (603) 862-3823.
Eating Concerns Mentors (ECMs)
- ECMs are trained UNH students who can provide you with confidential, individual support and information on body image, eating concerns and eating disorders
- Learn more and request an ECM here.
Campus Resources
What is an eating concern?
Eating concerns include disordered or chaotic eating patterns, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. An eating concern may also involve body dissatisfaction, obsession with exercise, or eating that is dictated by externally-connected cues such as counting calories instead of internal controls of hunger and satiety.
Examples include:
- irregular or chaotic eating
- fasting
- bingeing
- dieting
- emotional eating
- feeling remorse or guilt after eating
- preoccupation with food and weight
- over exercising
Signs and symptoms of eating concerns include:
- Preoccupation with your weight or shape, food, or exercise
- Isolation or avoidance of social situations because there will be food present
- Inability to menstruate
- Feeling out of control while eating or around food
- A negative attitude about your body, weight, or shape; often comparing yourself to others
- Unhealthy relationship with food and exercise
- Extreme weight fluctuations
- Inability to partake in activities that you used to enjoy
- Feeling numb and empty inside like your life lacks fulfillment or happiness
An eating disorder includes the following:
- Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
- Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.
- Binge eating disorder is a type of eating disorder not otherwise specified and is characterized by recurrent binge eating without the regular use of compensatory measures to counter the binge eating.
Body Positive Events and Workshops at Health & Wellness
We have several annual events and semester workshops at Health & Wellness to promote positive body images, address eating concerns, and nutrition. These include:
- Body Positivity Week: A week of events designed by Eating Concerns Mentors to promote healthy body image
- The Body Project: A body acceptance workshop designed for college-aged womxn to resist cultural pressures to conform to “ideal” appearance standards of female beauty and reduce the pursuit of unrealistic bodies
- Body Monologues: Real life stories of body image, eating concerns, and self-love, written and performed by UNH students
- Nutrition Expo: Interactive and fun opportunities to learn more about nutrition, improve your overall health and explore the food and nutrition resources, held during National Nutrition Month in March
- Eating Concerns Awareness Week: A week of activities designed by ECMs to help raise awareness about eating concerns and disorders
For details about upcoming programs, visit our Events, Workshops, and Classes page.
Additional Resources
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
- Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Inc.
- Andrea's Voice
- Bulimia (An American Addiction Centers Resource)
Are you...
- Concerned about your eating habits?
- Afraid to gain weight?
Take a free online eating disorder screening. This anonymous online screening takes only a few minutes and consists of a series of questions. After completing the screening, you will receive referrals, resources, and more information. This is a helpful first step if you are concerned about your relationship with food and your body.
