Whether its counting carbs or hitting the gym after classes, many college students engage in some form of weight control.

For most people, these habits are healthy. But sometimes this lifestyle can become dangerous or possibly life threatening.

During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Feb. 27-March 5, the Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at West Virginia University is sponsoring activities and speakers to educate students on these and other wellness issues.

The theme isGet Real,said Carruth Center psychologist Jan Melcher, who is coordinating the project.Get real expectations, get real role models and information, and get real help.

The week of activities isnt just about eating disorders, she added. Its about getting across a general wellness message about health promotion and prevention.

Beginning Monday and continuing through Friday, the Carruth Center will have an information table in front of JACS in the Mountainlair. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., staff members will be there to answer questions and to hand out informational materials.

On Monday, registered dietitian Leslie Bonci will give a talk titledJust Eat It: Taking the Disorder Away from Eatingat 6 p.m. in theLair Gluck Theatre.

The focus will be on how to create a harmonious relationship with food and our bodies,Melcher said.Lets focus on the positive and learn what it takes to truly nourish our bodies, and be self-caring, not self-sabotaging.

Boncia member of the NCAA speakersbureau and the nutritionist for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the University of Pittsburghis the director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Sports Medicine.

Her areas of expertise are eating disorders, weight management, digestive diseases and sports nutrition. She is the co-author ofTotal Fitness for Women.

On Tuesday, March 1, blood pressure screenings will be offered from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Mountainlair, and Dr. Michelle Macera, a visiting assistant professor of psychology at WVU , will speak about current data on body image disturbance and how this can fuel maladaptive weight control behaviors.

She will also help us understand how to identify satisfying meaning in life while maintaining a healthy weight,Melcher added.

The presentation,Step Off the Scale and Step into Life,gets under way at 7 p.m. in theLair Shenandoah Room.

Macera is a graduate of the WVU Adult Clinical Psychology program, and

completed her predoctoral internship at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Reno, Nev. She

co-authoredThe Anorexia Workbookand co-wrote several empirical, case study and

book chapter articles.

Both of the Eating Disorders Awareness Week speakerspresentations are free and open to the public. WVU students may receive University 101 credit for attending.

Other activities in the Mountainlair include mini fitness assessments and tips from

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 3; and healthy snacks (fruit and muffins) and

information, provided by WVU Dining Services, from 9 -11 a.m. onFearless Friday.

The idea onFearless Fridayis for everyone to go through one day without dieting, Melcher explained.

Throughout the week, the Carruth Center will also be holding aGreat Jeans Giveaway,an opportunity for people to turn in their tight-fitting jeans.

Its about body acceptanceeveryone feeling comfortable in their jeans, not fashion trendsand helping a charity at the same time,she said.

Pressure to watch weight, appearance precipitates problems among college students, says Carruth Center psychologist

About 10 million females and one million males suffer from eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimiaa low estimate, according to Melcher.

As many 40 percent of college-age women suffer from subclinical eating disorders,she said.That means they dont meet the criteria for bulimia or anorexia, but they have many of the psychological symptoms. For example, a young woman may be suffering a lot of the same psychological consequences, but isnt engaging in maladaptive behaviors as frequently.

Many students are not aware that they have an eating disorder while others suffer in silence, Melcher pointed out. Statistics vary because it tends to be a very secretive illness, and many dont seek treatment.

With our cultures standards of beauty, people feel a lot of pressure to conform especially with this age group, and the stress of coming to college can precipitate a problem with someone who has already had eating or body image problems,she said.

Once thought of as a gender-specific problem, Melcher finds body dissatisfaction is often just as great for young men as young women.

Men are less likely to seek treatment so statistics vary widely and probably arent very accurate, but were finding a lot of young men are engaging in unhealthy exercise habits, especially those who have to control weight for athletics,she said.Theyre trying to get buff, and many dont recognize that exercise can become a compulsion associated with eating disorders.

Melcher added,If you suspect a friend is suffering from an eating disorder, its really important that you have some facts and approach it the right way or you can prevent someone from getting help or intervention.

WVUs Carruth Center provides information to resident assistants and student groups, such as athletic trainers and sport psychologists, to help students cope with eating disorders. Individual counseling is available by calling 304-293-4431.

Melcher also helps lead a body confidence group on Mondays from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Carruth Center. This group features discussion and activities specific to eating issues, body image, self-acceptance, stress management and self-care.

For more information, go to . National Eating Disorders Association on the Net:http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/