The Hidden Risk: Why Nutrition and Dietetic Students Are Particularly Vulnerable to Eating Disorders
When we think about students at risk for developing eating disorders, it’s easy to picture young people struggling with societal pressures or the intense changes that come with university life. What’s less commonly recognised is that students studying nutrition and dietetics are among the most vulnerable groups - despite their education being centred on health and wellbeing.
A Surprising At-Risk Group
It may seem counterintuitive at first: why would those studying nutrition - a field committed to promoting health - be at higher risk of disordered eating?
The reality is that nutrition and dietetic students are often drawn to these degrees because of a genuine interest in health, food, and sometimes personal experiences with dieting or body image concerns. They then enter a learning environment where food is constantly analysed, categorised, and scrutinised. Without careful curriculum design, this can reinforce black-and-white thinking about food, encourage perfectionism, and increase preoccupation with eating and body size.
Recent research confirms these concerns:
A 2023 systematic scoping review found that 4–32% of nutrition and dietetic students were at high risk of eating disorders.
Between 23–89% displayed signs of orthorexia nervosa, an unhealthy obsession with eating in a way that is perceived as “clean” or “healthy”.
Body dissatisfaction was highly prevalent, with studies reporting rates between 37–86%.
This is not to say that all nutrition students will struggle, but the rates of risk are significant enough that we need to pay attention.
Why Are Nutrition Students at Increased Risk?
There are several reasons why nutrition and dietetic students may be particularly vulnerable:
High exposure to diet culture messaging: Even in academic settings, students can receive information that subtly (or overtly) reinforces ideas about “good” vs. “bad” foods.
Personal investment: Students often enter these degrees with a personal interest in health, fitness, or body change, which may already involve restrictive eating patterns.
Perfectionism and high achievement: These traits, which are common in nutrition students, are also known risk factors for eating disorders.
Assignments that involve dietary tracking or restriction: Without safeguards, these learning tasks can inadvertently trigger disordered eating behaviours.
The Impact Can Be Far-Reaching
The effects of disordered eating in nutrition students don’t just impact their personal wellbeing - they can also shape their future professional practice. Without adequate support, these students may go on to perpetuate restrictive or appearance-focused health advice in their work with clients, which continues the cycle of harm.
There’s also the human cost: students experiencing distress, shame, or isolation while studying a field that’s meant to be about health and support.
How Can We Do Better?
The good news is that many educators are now recognising this issue and working to build safer, more inclusive curricula. Some universities are:
Incorporating intuitive eating principles into their teaching
Offering education about the harms of diet culture
Co-creating curriculum content with students to ensure it feels safe and supportive
Providing space for open discussion about eating disorders and body image in the profession
When students feel safe, empowered, and connected, they are more likely to build healthy relationships with food and bodies - both for themselves and the people they will go on to help in their careers.
A Call to Action
Supporting the wellbeing of nutrition and dietetic students is not just about protecting them during their studies - it’s about shaping the future of health care.
As educators, clinicians, and fellow students, we have an opportunity to advocate for learning environments that foster curiosity, compassion, and flexibility around food, rather than rigidity and restriction.
If you’re in this field, or if you’re simply interested in creating safer spaces for all students, I would love to connect. Together, we can champion approaches to health that are genuinely supportive, inclusive, and sustainable.