According to the CDC's website, dietary changes are almost inevitable for the average American college student. College life provides access to new foods, cafeterias and buffet style eating. Some college students engage in risky overeating behaviors throughout their college years. Others, especially females, develop dangerous eating disorders. Aneroxia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating are the most common disorders among college students. Aneroxia nervosa is characterized by severe calorie restriction leading to extreme weight loss. Those suffering from bulimia nervosa develop a pattern of binging and purging. A bulimic commonly overeats and then vomits or abuses laxatives to rid herself of the food. Binge-eating disorder affects those who consistently overeat, often feeling as if they cannot stop eating. Overcoming these disorders requires a combination of mental and medical treatments. Those worried about their eating habits should speak with a counselor or medical professional in the school's health center.
College often involves late-night parties, all-night study sessions and the general development of a nighttime social life. As a result, college students are likely to suffer from sleep deprivation. According to the CDC website, sleep deprivation symptoms include depression, daytime sleepiness, difficultly concentrating and difficulty making decisions. Prolonged sleep deprivation is linked to a rise in automobile crashes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, poor academic performance and problems developing relationships. The CDC recommends avoiding excessive nicotine and caffeine consumption, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day and eliminating distractions from the sleep environment.
College is often a time for sexual experimentation. While engaging in intercourse does not have to be risky, students often fail to take the necessary health precautions. College students are at risk for STDs, AIDS and unwanted pregnancies due to high-risk sexual behavior, states the College Drinking Prevention website. The CDC website outlines several ways students can develop a healthy, safe sex life. Females under the age of 26 should get an HPV vaccine to lower the risk of cervical cancer. Birth control and condoms should be used during every sexual encounter. Sexually active individuals should get tested annually for STDs and HIV.
While college is a time for growth, exploration and change, it can also be a stressful time for many students. According to the MSNBC website, research shows that college students are five times more likely to suffer from anxiety and other stress-related conditions than students studying during the Great Depression. Though there is no clear reason for the rise in anxiety among college students, many health care professionals feel modern students have more trouble balancing social, academic and family pressures. According to the CDC, students who develop a network of supportive friends, engage in regular physical activity, identify individual stressors and talk to a counselor are more likely to keep anxiety and stress at bay.
In recent years, the news has been full of stories centered on accidents related to excessive drinking in college. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has developed the College Drinking Prevention website to give students, parents and educators access to information about the risks and prevention of binge drinking. As of 2010, excessive and underage drinking contributes to the death of more than 1,400 college students annually, according to the NIAAA. Binge drinking is also linked to a rise in injuries, sexual abuse, risky sexual behaviors, drunk driving and criminal behaviors among college students. According to the CDC, educating students about the risks and how to seek help for alcohol abuse is the best way to prevent risky drinking behaviors.