Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Feb. 28-March 4

A week for "Love Your Body" is planned in observance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 28-March 4 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This marks the ninth year NU 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. All events are free and open to the public.

The week begins with a performance by Broadway actress Eva van Dok in "Eaten Alive" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the ballroom of the Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. "Eaten Alive" is a 55-minute, one-woman theater piece that presents the lives of five women in different stages of life, all of whom suffer from different eating disorders. This piece shows the behaviors, thought processes and lifestyles of the women in a way that illuminates the emotional dynamic of each character as they live and function with their disorder. Van Dok, a recovered anorexic/bulimic, will also engage in a talk-back session at the end of the performance. Counselors will also be available to speak one-on-one with students.

"Love Your Body" week also includes a "Body Bazaar: Uniting Body, Mind and Spirit" on March 1. A collection of booths from UNL and Lincoln organizations will provide information on health and fitness, stress management, student services and other issues. The Body Bazaar will be in the main floor lounge of the Nebraska Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Charlie Foster will present "Looking at Body Image Through Different Eyes: Cultural Insight" at 7 p.m. March 2 in the Nebraska Union. A movie night will be held on March 3 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Nebraska Union. The week's activities will conclude on March 4 with a campuswide "Fearless Friday," which will celebrate a day without dieting, and a brown bag presentation "Harmful Cocktails" at noon at the Nebraska East Union.

Throughout the week, there will be displays sponsored by EDEP Media Awareness in the Nebraska Union and Campus Recreation Center. These include a life-size Barbie and GI Joe display, "Know Your Numbers," "Myths and Facts" and the "Great Jeans Giveaway."

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an annual outreach campaign sponsored by the National Eating Disorders Association, a nonprofit organization. Love Your Body Week is sponsored by the Eating Disorders Education and Prevention Student Association, Students Helping Individuals Nurture Esteem, Greeks Promoting Positive Attitude, the Pepsi Endowment Fund, the University Health Center, Campus Recreation Center, Parents Association and Afrikan Peoples Union. For more information, visit the University Health Center Web site.

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