the adaptive response of food difficulties. Most people who suffer from eating disorders have severe, long-term deprivation in regard to their emotional needs. As mentioned previously, bulimia began to manifest itself in the 1970's concurrent with the women's movement. As the female role began to change, confusion set in and an increasing obsession with thinness began to invade society. Girls who are severely insecure or full of self-doubt take refuge society's demand of thinness as way of proving themselves to be deserving of respect. Leighton Whitaker (1989) discusses the specific characteristics of the college environment and lifestyle that contribute to the widespread and increasing problem of female students with food. The college environment is similar to a family. It may bring demands, attitudes, support systems or lack of support. There are constant concerns with finances, transitions, the physical structure and atmosphere, as well as relationships with faculty, staff, and the other students. The academic studies themselves may be unfamiliar and difficult at times. Student support services may not contribute any help to the student who has eating difficulties (Whitaker, 1989, p. 117). Going to college is an important transition for most students, and a sizable number of freshmen experience leaving home for the first college semester as traumatic. The persistent, unrecognized dependency on parents and their lack of experience in making decisions on their own causes problems of functioning in the less-controlled college environment. Living in a dorm or apartment with other college individuals means getting along with others, withstanding the normal comings and goings as students leave school, and such a situation carries within it all the dynamics that contribute to problem eating. These interpersonal situations impact women more than men because women have greater needs for relationships and have been socialized to be care-g...
