For the second-straight year, the Student Health and Counseling Center (SHAC) will draw attention to the wide-spread issue of eating disorders by sponsoring a number of events starting Feb. 7 and running through Feb. 11. The goal is not only to highlight eating disorders, but to promote a positive body image for University students.
According to The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders, nearly 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
As part of the week, The Renfrew Center Foundation is once again loaning the University an exhibition of art work created by women in recovery from eating disorders (see an example at the left). The exhibition will be on display all week in the SHAC Offices.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week Events
Sponsored by SHAC February 7-11, 2011
- All week – The Renfrew Center Foundation presents “The Art of Recovery” – an exhibit of artwork by women in recovery from eating disorders. Artwork will be on display at SHAC all week, and staff, faculty, and students are welcome to come by to view the artwork Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- All week – information and resources will be available throughout campus, including the Wilson Dining Hall, residence halls, the ARC, and the library.
- All week – Look for Operation Beautiful post-it notes around campus, and feel free to leave some yourself! Just write positive body-image messages on post-its and stick them up around campus (on mirrors, doors, wherever). The goal of Operation Beautiful is to end negative self-talk, or “fat talk.”
- Mirrorless Monday! Monday, Feb 7 – Mirrors in selected buildings will be covered with white paper to remind individuals that what they see in the mirror does not define them. Students are encouraged to leave messages about positive body image and what they value in themselves and others.
- "Rate Your Plate" Tuesday Feb 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Rate Your Plate with Sodexo Dietician Jeanne Molloy in the Wilson Dining Hall. Get your plate rated by a dietician to find out more about your meal selection, and to get suggestions for what you might choose next time to improve the nutritional value of your meals. Sodexo will be giving away free bags of homemade trail mix to all students who participate in this event.
- The Great Jeans Giveaway! Thursday Feb 10 from noon to 3 p.m. in the ARC – Feel comfortable in your genes – wear jeans that fit the REAL you. Are you wearing jeans that are uncomfortable or that don’t fit you properly? Please bring any jeans that don’t fit– too big, too small or just the wrong fit. Donated jeans will be given to a local shelter in our community. There will be a table set up in the ARC lobby with jeans that students can decorate and write on with messages supporting healthy body image. Write all over the jeans and see your messages on display.
- Closing Reception for the Renfrew art show – Friday Feb 11 at 2 p.m. – Please join us in the Women’s Club Room (2nd Floor of Whitecar Hall) for a slide show presentation of artwork by a former Renfrew Center patient, highlighting the transformation of her artwork during the course of her recovery from an eating disorder. The talk will be followed by a closing reception of the “Art of Recovery” display at SHAC. A Renfrew Center art therapist will also be on hand to discuss the themes and interpretation of these powerful images. Refreshments will be served.
For more information about student counseling services at SHAC, visit www.usciences.edu/shac.