Wednesday, February 27, 2008
“Celebrate EveryBODY Week” will bring discounted food, positive messages and a comedian to the University of Kansas this week to promote healthy body image among students.
Student Health Services, From The Inside Out and H.O.M.E.B.A.S.E., organizations that focus on body image and health, are sponsoring Celebrate EveryBODY Week to target eating disorders.
Ninety-five percent of people with eating disorders are younger than 25, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Events throughout the week will target eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, as well as abnormal eating habits such as restrictive dieting and binging and purging.
Mai Do, marketing coordinator for Student Health Services, said the week’s events, which coincided with National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, would be aimed at helping students develop a healthy lifestyle.
“We try to focus on body acceptance — a positive rather than a negative,” Do said.
Ann Chapman, coordinator of nutritional services at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said Celebrate EveryBODY Week was an important event for raising awareness about the prevalence of eating disorders.
breakbox
» 24 million people in the United States battle an eating disorder
» 86 percent of people with eating disorders said they started by age 20
» Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness among adolescents
» 25 percent of college women binge and purge to maintain their weight
» The ideal body type promoted in the media is natural in 5 percent of American women
Source: Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders
“The statistics are staggering,” Chapman said.
The NIMH estimates that 20 percent of women struggle with an eating disorder or abnormal eating habits.
Of the 24 million Americans battling an eating disorder, up to 15 percent are male.
Chapman said that an obsession with food and overeating also qualified as eating disorders.
Lindsey Hirschorn, Overland Park junior and president of From The Inside Out, said negative body image was also a significant issue on campus.
“If you sit in the girls’ bathroom for 10 minutes, you will not hear one positive thing said,” Hirschorn said.
From The Inside Out aimed to encourage a more positive body image by helping to tape positive messages onto mirrors in public restrooms around campus on Monday, she said.
Other events planned for Celebrate EveryBODY Week include bringing Stacey Prussman, a comedian who has struggled with an eating disorder, to campus to talk to students.
Hirschorn said Prussman’s experience with an eating disorder would be eye opening for many students.
Better Bites entrées, available in cafeterias across campus, will also be provided at a 20 to 25 percent discount for lunch on Thursday, Chapman said. BetterBites entrées have fewer calories and less fat than many other food options on campus.
Hirschorn said events such as these were important for KU students.
“There’s a huge need for things like this on college campuses,” Hirschorn said. “It’s a place where eating disorders run wild.”
Stacey Prussman will speak at 7 tonight in the Kansas Union Ballroom and will be available afterward to answer student questions.
— Edited by Patrick De Oliveira
Events on campus intend to promote positive ...
Campus organizers work together to address topics including body acceptance, healthy eating ...
Week encourages image acceptance
The week, which is sponsored by HOMEBASE and KU Student Health Services, ...
Dove model to speak on women’s issues
Stacy Nadeau, from Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, will address body image, stereotypes, ...
Alumna discusses eating disorder experience
After a nearly life-long struggle, a former student speaks out and provides ...
Losing weight, losing control
Among the millions who struggle with eating disorders, the majority suffer from ...
Case for the imperfect body
Artist speaks about his full-body casts and self image.
Alcohol, food trade-off leads to danger
Drunkorexia, or drinking instead of eating, is a harmful trend among college-aged ...
Taking a bite out of poor nutrition
Dining Services reward students for taking better bites in campus dining facilities.
New Better Bites campaign caters to federal ...
Safe at HOMEBASE
The task force HOMEBASE passed out some samples of its Better Bites ...
Crash diets can prove to be unhealthy
Homemade cleansers and crash diets aren't a substitute for sensible eating and ...
Late-night meals lead to weight gain
Hectic schedules often lead college students to scramble to find time for ...
Get a free bite of a healthy ...
There will be free samples of Better Bites wraps at Anschutz Library.
KU panel discusses your brain, on food
Studies at KU Life Span Institute look to answer questions about the ...
Campus calories no longer a mystery
KU Dining Services offers NetNutrition, a nutrition calendar, online.
Weight loss speech inspires students
Ben Davis loss 120 pounds in recovery.
Student Saver Card offers more discounts
Even with a budget cut and decrease in sales SUA is offering ...
Avoiding the ‘freshman 15’
University dining halls work toward healthier diets for freshmen and other students.
Mustaches promote milk-drinking
Student Health Services offered free milk and milk mustaches to students Tuesday ...
Milking it on campus
Students get free gulps to promote healthy bones.
Students not cramming healthier food options
Snacking strategies for late-night studying
During finals week, carbohydrates and protein-filled snacks are beneficial.
Study says men want attractive women
Women’s Resource Center Director Kathy Rose-Mockry said the findings painted too narrow ...
Study says men want attractive women
Women’s Resource Center Director Kathy Rose-Mockry said the findings painted too narrow ...
Veterans’ transition not always smooth
Everything from receiving educational benefits to socializing with civilians can be a ...
Cancer prevention 101
A new study shows developing positive habits in college may lead to ...
Got milk?
The Milk Mustache Campaign hopes to increase calcium awareness in students’ diets.
Experts criticize diet pills searching for FDA ...
Osterhaus: Traditional image of anorexic female ignores ...
Just like women who become ill, men have similar psychological or self-esteem ...
Fast food remains popular, yet unhealthy
A recent survey found that most Americans prefer fast food for its ...
Ready, set eat
Food Revolution
From the farmers to the restaurant to the consumer, learn how local ...
Excessive meat consumption could pose health risk
Dieticians say students should balance diets and avoid high-fat red meats.
Erickson: Playboy's exploitation of women needs attention
KU nutritionists give students advice on healthy ...
Even though students lead a busy and stressful lifestyle, nutritionists say KU ...
Orthorexia: When good diets go bad
Healthy eating can become an unhealthy obsession
Trans fat statistics not available for Dining ...
Portions can reduce holiday weight gain
Instead of binge eating on Thanksgiving, divided portions can lead to less ...
Student Senate approves 'Gaypril' funding
Queers and Allies will host Gaypril this year, an extended version of ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
‘Celebrate EveryBODY Week’ focuses on healthy body images
what a fantastic idea. it's tough living in a world where society is given the final say on what's "attractive" and what isn't. unfortunately, that idea leaves little room for interpretation and females feel the pressure to be unhealthily thin and put unnecessary strain on their bodies. As a female who can say with all confidence that she is secure and (dare I say it) happy with her own body, I hope that all women will learn to accept themselves for who they are, no matter what size or shape they may be.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID