College towns have higher-priced items that make it hard for students to afford necessities such as food, toiletries, personal care, etc. Now, with the economy being as inflated as it is, these prices are skyrocketing. Stores that are around campus, such as CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and local shops, create a convenience blindness for students. They believe that if they aren’t driving or it’s closer to their dorms/apartments, it’s ultimately better than grocery stores where they can get fresh produce. With access to only “junk” foods, students aren’t getting proper nutrition for their brains and bodies. This can lead to a decline in motivation for attending class and taking care of themselves. However, grocery store prices, although slightly lower, are still a dilemma. If students do have the opportunity to drive to grocery stores, the price is still incredibly inconvenient for the financial situation of the average college student. Either way, there is a stressor on mental health due to food and financial struggles.Â
People mostly brush it off as the “broke college student” stereotype, but students who can’t afford dining plans are left between a rock and a hard place. Even students who do have dining plans might struggle to find items in dining halls that fit their preferences and/or dietary restrictions; even finding the time to make the journey to them can be hard. This normalizes disordered eating within college communities. A 2013 NEDA survey says 10-20% of female college students experience an eating disorder. With today’s economy, those numbers are surely growing.Â
Not only are food prices such a huge factor, but media and mental health also play a huge role. Today’s society is all about being thin; we have seen it in all the most popular female actors. The Wicked cast, Jenna Ortega, Demi Moore, Natalia Dyer, Alexa Demie, etc. Seeing this in every app and social platform pushes the idea that “being thin is in.” Moving away from home, classes, and making friends are all huge stressors that lead to a decline in self-worth. Students who already struggle with mental illness might find it even harder to navigate a toxic internet environment. Undoing the damage that Ozempic and GLP-1s have done is not easy, but supporting others through a hard time and doing the best we can to avoid this rhetoric is a great start.Â
There are several ways to deal with the money aspect as well, such as cash back and coupons to help with the pricing issue at stores. CVS and equivalent stores all have loyalty programs where you can receive cash back and get coupons that relate to your recent purchases. This creates a personalized experience that helps you get the items you need to feel secure in yourself. Grocery stores, like Kroger, also have free loyalty programs that give you a few cents to a dollar off items, which quickly adds up, ultimately saving you so much money. As well as stores having student discounts, simply flashing your student ID can get you lots of discounts at a variety of stores.
If you feel as though you’re struggling, mental health resources are always available.
National Suicide Hotline: 988
National Alliance for Eating Disorders: 866-662-1235
Works Cited:
Jacobson, R. (2023, February 23). College Students and Eating Disorders. Child Mind Institute; Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/eating-disorders-and-college/