Date of Award
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Department
Health Services and Policy Management
Director of Thesis
Dr. Toni Torres-McGehee
Second Reader
Dr. Brian Lusk
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa, have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, yet remain underrecognized relative to their severity and treatment burden. Because the period of peak onset aligns with the college years, institutions of higher education are uniquely positioned to play an important role in prevention, early identification, and referral to specialized care. However, limited research has examined how colleges and universities structure ED prevention and treatment resources. This thesis applies a comparative benchmarking framework to assess current institutional practices across U.S. colleges and universities. A national survey of student health and counseling centers examined staffing, care coordination, prevention programming, access to screening, referral pathways, treatment engagement tracking, campus awareness efforts, and institutional prioritization of ED prevention. Findings revealed substantial variability in practices across institutions. Most campuses reported some capacity for clinical response once ED concerns were identified, but prevention programming, routine screenings outside of clinical settings, and formalized care coordination were less developed. Evidence-based prevention programs were uncommon, and few institutions tracked whether students identified as high risk ultimately engage in treatment. Overall, the findings suggest that institutions are generally better equipped to respond to EDs after identification than to prevent their initial onset or monitor the continuity of care that follows. The present study is the first of its kind to conduct a comprehensive benchmarking assessment of ED-related practices in higher education, and key implications for future cross-institutional collaboration in the improvement of ED prevention efforts are discussed.
First Page
1
Last Page
76
Recommended Citation
Arcement, Jake R., "Eating Disorder Prevention and Early Intervention in U.S. Higher Education – A Comparative Benchmarking Study" (2026). Senior Theses. 868.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/868
Rights
© 2026, Jake R. Arcement
Aggregate Data Report
Included in
Health Services Administration Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Population Health Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Quality Improvement Commons