National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins Sunday, Feb. 24, and continues through Saturday, March 2.
NIU will recognize the week through a series of events sponsored by the Counseling & Student Development Center, Health Enhancement, the Women’s Resource Center, Campus Recreation and the School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences.
All-week events
- Wear PURPLE all week long in support of Eating Disorder Recovery.
- Diverse Perspectives: Multiculturalism and Body Image Brown Bag Presentations
- All are invited to an interactive discussion on the intersection between culture and attitudes about food, eating and body ideals. Each day of the week brings an opportunity to learn about eating disorders and body image concerns in diverse populations (African-American, Asian-American, athlete, Latina and male). Feel free to bring a lunch. All talks take place in Room 100 of the Campus Life Building.
- Schedule: Monday (noon to 1 p.m.), Tuesday (2:30 to 3:30 p.m.), Wednesday (noon to 1 p.m.), Thursday (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), Friday (noon to 1 p.m.)
- “Love your Body” Jeans Project
- Visit the Holmes Student Center to view the “Love your Body” jeans display supported by organizations across campus. Donate your old jeans that no longer fit; wear jeans that fit your REAL genes. Participate in the project by decorating a pair of jeans with positive body image messages. Stop by the Huskie Bus turnaround from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and the HSC Diversions Lounge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday to participate.
- “Heart Your Parts”
- Show support for your body by wearing a heart over the body parts you love! Stop by the Diversions Lounge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to pick up your hearts.
MONDAY, Feb. 25
Love your Body Zumba (free class)
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Campus Recreation Center
In addition to a free Zumba class, there will be information available about campus resources to address eating concerns, body image issues, healthy eating, and exercise programs on campus. Also, find information on NIU’s Certificate of Graduate Study in Eating Disorders and Obesity.
How to Help a Friend: When Someone You Care About Has an Eating Disorder
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Heritage Room
Everybody knows somebody … learn how to help, what to say and where to get additional support. Facilitated by Dr. Sandra Carey, psychologist, Counseling & Student Development Center.
TUESDAY, Feb. 26
Banishing the 3 Ds: Dieting, Drive for Thinness and Body Dissatisfaction
Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: Wirtz Hall Auditorium, Room 101
Prevention, helping others, and recovery are possible when the “3 Ds” are understood. Join in this exploration of dieting misconceptions and the impact dieting trends have on the development of a distorted body image. Facilitated by Noell Ealey and Ana Pruteanu, NIU graduate interns, Nutrition and Dietetics, FCNS.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 27
Panel Discussion: Celebrating Recovery and Candlelight Vigil
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Sandburg Auditorium
This panel discussion will provide a unique opportunity to learn from individuals who have struggled with eating disorders and worked toward recovery. A candlelight vigil is planned after the panel discussion in honor of those who are fighting for recovery and to remember those that have lost the battle to ED. Moderated by Dr. Anne Kubal, psychologist, Insight Behavioral Health Center.
THURSDAY, Feb. 28
Fashion Show: Own It! Embrace Your Beauty
Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m.
Location: Duke Ellington Ballroom
Please join the campus community in celebrating “every body” in promoting positive body image and raising the awareness of eating disorders through the second annual “Own It! Embrace Your Beauty” Fashion Show: Embrace your body, love who you are and own it! Join us for an evening of music, dance and fashion as we celebrate and promote positive body image. To have a display table to promote healthy body image, contact the Women’s Resource Center at (815) 753-0320.
For more information on National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, call (815) 753-1206.
