You're in college now. No one is going to tell you to clean up your room, take a shower or take out the trash.

No one is going to monitor your eating habits.

It is reasonable to expect that friends will look out for another person's well-being, because parents aren't around to baby-sit anymore. Granted, it is not an acquaintance's responsibility to make sure someone doesn't develop unhealthy habits, but being able to recognize tell-tale signs might make a life-and-death difference for a friend.

Because of larger societal problems with body image and dieting, most people know what anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are. But some unaware of the multitude of indicators of the two conditions.

There are many signs that someone is suffering from an eating disorder. People who are anorexic usually have unexplainable weight loss, almost never eat with others and are increasingly isolated and depressed. Large weight fluctuations, puffiness in the cheeks from swollen glands, marks on the back of their hands from vomiting and eating in secrecy, then using the bathroom, often are signs that someone is suffering from bulimia.

It takes immense courage to admit to an eating disorder, as it does to confront a person you think might need help. Still, people should be educated and aware of these signs because getting help often times takes outside intervention from loved ones.

Unfortunately, college is a breeding ground for an unhealthy lifestyle. Nobody is watching if you pop some pills before studying, no one cares if you stay out all night drinking and people might not notice if you only eat a couple carrots for lunch every day. These things might be socially acceptable on campus, even though they perhaps would not be at home or outside our collegiate bubble.

Confronting a friend who might have an eating disorder is an incredibly delicate situation, but, in many cases, it is important that some type of intervention take place. Being aware of the signs can be the first step toward saving someone's life.