Eating Disorders Awareness Week Is Feb. 22-28

Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 16, 2004 -- A week for "Celebrating Every Body" is planned at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in observance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Feb. 22-28. All events are free and open to the public and will be presented in the Nebraska Union, 1400 R St.

Activities at the university begin Feb. 23 with talks by Laura Fraser, author of "Losing It: America's Obsession with Weight and the Industry that Feeds on It." Fraser will speak at 6:30 and 8 p.m. in the ballroom. Fraser advocates that diets and weight loss drugs can be dangerous, that a healthy weight is not necessarily thin, and that exercise and long-term lifestyle changes are more important than the number on the scale.

Celebrating Every Body week also includes a "Body Bazaar: Uniting Body, Mind and Spirit" on Feb. 24. A collection of booths from university and Lincoln organizations will provide information on health and fitness, stress management, student services and other issues. The Body Bazaar will be located in the main floor lounge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 7 p.m., the presentation "From Eating Disorders to Body Building" will be offered.

On Feb. 25, the presentation "New Beginnings" will be at 7:30 p.m. This talk will include ways to help a friend with an eating disorder. A movie night will be held on Feb. 26 beginning at 7 p.m.

Throughout the week, there will be displays sponsored by Eating Disorders Education and Prevention Media Awareness in the Alcove area. These include a "Life-size Barbie and GI Joe" display, a "Beautiful Wall" and "Great Jeans Giveaway."

Eating Disorders Awareness Week began as a national outreach campaign sponsored by the Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention organization, a national nonprofit organization.

Celebrating Every Body is sponsored by the Eating Disorders Education and Prevention Student Association, the University Health Center, Campus Recreation, Parent's Association, UPC-FAC, Pepsi Fund, Student Alumni Association-Student Enhancement Fund, and Lazzari's Pizza. Sponsors welcome students, faculty, staff and the general public to attend each of the Celebrating Every Body events.

This marks the eighth year the university has observed the week. The Eating Disorders Education and Prevention Student Association planned all activities sponsored on campus and hope the week will help foster healthy ideas and encourage students to develop self-esteem and self-respect based on wellness principles.

Schedule of Events

Site: Nebraska Union, 1400 R St.

Monday, Feb. 23 -- Laura Fraser, author of "Losing It: America's Obsession with Weight," 6:30-7:30 and 8-9 p.m., ballroom

Tuesday, Feb. 24 -- Body Bazaar, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., first floor; presentation, "From Eating Disorders to Body Building," 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 -- Presentation: "New Beginnings," (how to help a friend with an eating disorder), 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 26 -- movie night, 7 p.m.

Ongoing activities -- "Life-size Barbie and GI Joe," alcove; positive vs. negative media images, alcove; "Know Your Numbers," alcove; "Compare/Contrast Muscle Dysmorphia to Anorexia," Rotunda Gallery; "Body Sizes and Diets Through the Decades," alcove and gallery; "Beautiful Wall," gallery; "Great Jeans Giveaway," gallery (drop boxes at all events).

CONTACT: Jennifer Snyder, University Health Center, (402) 472-7459