This blog post was written by my intern, Emma. Without further ado, take it away, Emma!

Intro

When you think about the “college experience,” you might picture parties with friends, late-night study sessions, and dining hall lunches. But beneath the hustle and bustle, there’s often an unspoken pressure that many students face: the influence of diet culture. 

“Going Out” Culture

One of the most alarming examples of this is the normalization of not eating before going out. Whether the goal is to “look skinnier” in a certain outfit or to get drunk faster, this practice can be extremely dangerous. Drinking on an empty stomach increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, blackouts, and other serious health consequences. Still, in many social circles, there’s a palpable pressure to follow suit, making it even harder for students to listen to their own needs. 

The Freshman 15

Another common anxiety in college is the fear of the “Freshman 15,” something I’m sure all students have heard about from older relatives. Many find themselves comparing their eating and exercise habits with roommates or friends, often casually joking about weight gain. 

These seemingly harmless comments actually perpetuate weight stigma and contribute to a culture where bodies are judged and scrutinized rather than respected and celebrated. For most students, going to college also means major changes in eating and movement patterns — from adjusting to dining hall food, to losing access to familiar grocery stores, to no longer having structured high school sports practices. 

On top of that, the demands of college life can make it hard to find time to move your body in ways that feel good. These lifestyle shifts can have a real impact on students’ mental wellbeing, often influencing how they view and feel about their own bodies. 

Ozempic “Humor” 

In today’s social climate, especially with the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic, jokes about wanting to be thinner have only intensified. It’s not unusual to overhear conversations about wishing to be on Ozempic or viewing it as a “solution” to all problems. 

While it’s crucial to respect individual autonomy and personal health choices, it’s equally important to have honest conversations about the side effects, medication interactions, and deeper underlying disordered relationship with food.

Moreover, framing weight as something that needs to be “fixed” reinforces harmful stereotypes and overlooks the reality that health is not determined by size. 

Glamorizing Restriction

On campus, it’s also common to hear things like, “I’ve only had a coffee today,” or “I didn’t eat dinner.” These patterns — skipping meals, ignoring hunger cues are not only normalized, but often praised. 

Combined with the drinking culture, where “saving up” calories for alcohol is casually accepted, it becomes clear that disordered eating habits are woven into the fabric of college life. 

Social Media in College

Social media plays a massive role here, too. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram amplify these messages, promoting the latest body trends, “what I eat in a day” videos, and unrealistic fitness goals. It’s easy to forget that what we see online is often a highlight reel, not the whole picture. 

Still, the pressure to conform to diets, body standards, and “wellness” trends can feel overwhelming especially for developing young minds. 

The Big Life Transition 

Then there’s the transition itself: leaving home, starting college, managing a heavy workload, and meeting new friends. Times of major change often bring up anxiety, and for many people, coping mechanisms can turn into disordered behaviors. Finding comfort in being “healthy” or strictly “fit” can quickly spiral into something harmful when it becomes an identity or a way to manage stress.

Wrap-up

Diet culture thrives in environments of uncertainty, pressure, and comparison — all things that are, unfortunately, often present during the college years. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward creating a culture that supports true well-being, one that values self-care, flexibility, and respect for all bodies. College should be about learning, growing, and finding your place in the world — not about shrinking yourself to fit in.