Question from Windsor, Ontario, Canada:

I have been living in residence at university since September of this year. Even in the time leading up to me moving to school, I was very nervous about the meal plan that was mandatory for all students living in residence because of all the hype surrounding weight gain in first year university. Because, as a first year student, I was required to invest a certain amount of money in the meal plan which expires at the end of the year, I have the ability to buy large amounts of high carb, high calorie food and the amount of money on my meal card supports this quite adequately.

I realize it is compulsive behavior, but since I have been at school I engage in binge eating and don’t cover it with insulin, as well as sometimes forcing myself to throw up after eating inappropriate amount of food. I engaged in this behavior prior to moving to university, but it had stopped for some time because I was able to address the issue by only eating when I was hungry and actually analyzing whether or not I was hungry. It is unfortunate but the meal plan here is set up in such away that it is very conducive to this behavior. I have in fact found that other girls on my floor are bulimic and I wonder if it’s a coincidence or if it’s a result of the kind of eating habits that are being encouraged.

In spite of everything I know I can’t continue on like this even if its only tell April. I know it’s the meal plan that’s at the root of the problem because I don’t engage in this behavior on breaks when I am at home with my family.