Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Feb. 26-March 2

A week to "Be Comfortable in Your Genes" is planned at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in observance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 26-March 2.

The week begins with the one-woman show "Insides OUT!" performed by Katie Rubin at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Rubin uses stand-up comedy, poetry, song, improvisation and monologue to tell the story of one young person's journey from her high school and college years through her introduction to the working world. Rubin has studied classical, jazz and musical theater vocal techniques for 15 years. For more information about Rubin, visit her Web site (www.katierubin.com).

The week continues with the return of the Body Bazaar, a health fair "Celebrating the Real You," from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Nebraska Union. The health fair will be held on the first floor of the Nebraska Union from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the Eating Disorders Education and Prevention Student Association, the University Health Center Student Advisory Board and the Campus Recreation Advisory Council.

UNL alumnus Ryan Sallans will present "Sexuality, Eating Disorders and Body Image: from the Big Screen to Politics" at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Nebraska Union. Eating disorders and body dissatisfaction are no longer a white, upper-middle-class woman's disorder. It's more than just being skinny -- it's about being happy as the person you are while overcoming boxes and labels, politics and marginalization, as well as finding safety. Sallans is the community educator and internal communications/Web developer for Planned Parenthood of Nebraska and Council Bluffs.

The week also includes the SHINE (Students Helping Individuals Nurture Esteem) presentations of: "Beauty Knows No Race" at 11:30 a.m. March 1 in the Nebraska Union; "Mindful Eating" at 11:30 a.m. March 2 in the Nebraska Union; and "The Truth About Dieting" at 2:30 p.m. in the Campus Recreation Center, 14th Street between Vine and W streets.

People are also encouraged to wear jeans March 2 to celebrate a day without dieting and symbolize being comfortable in their genes. "The Great Jeans Giveaway," sponsored by Greeks Promoting Positive Attitudes, will also be held in conjunction with eating disorders awareness week. Drop boxes to donate jeans that no longer fit will be at each event and all sorority houses.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week began as a national outreach campaign sponsored by the Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention organization, a national nonprofit organization. A week to "Be Comfortable in Your Genes" is sponsored at UNL by the Eating Disorders Education and Prevention Student Association; Students Helping Individuals Nurture Esteem; Greeks Promoting Positive Attitudes; University Health Center Student Advisory Board; Campus Recreation Advisory Council; Alpha Delta Pi Sorority; Pepsi Student Events Fund; and the CSAD Diversity Programs Fund. All events are free and open to the public.

This marks the 11th year that UNL has observed the week. The Eating Disorder 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. For more information, visit www.unl.edu/health/students/education/nutrition/edaw.

The schedule of events for "Be Comfortable in Your Genes":

Monday, Feb. 26 -- Katie Rubin. "Insides OUT!" 7 p.m., Nebraska Union.

Tuesday, Feb. 27 -- Body Bazaar health fair, "Celebrating the Real You," 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Nebraska Union.

Wednesday, Feb. 28 -- Ryan Sallans, Sexuality, Eating Disorders and Body Image: from the Big Screen to Politics," 7 p.m., Nebraska Union.

Thursday, March 1 -- Students Helping Individuals Nurture Esteem (SHINE) presentation, "Beauty Knows No Race," 11:30 a.m., Nebraska Union.

Friday, March 2 -- "A Day without Dieting -- wear jeans to be comfortable in your genes!" SHINE presentation, "Mindful Eating," 11:30 a.m., Nebraska Union; SHINE presentation, "The Truth About Dieting," 2:30 p.m., Campus Recreation Center.

On-going Activity -- "Great Jeans Giveaway" (drop boxes will be located at the week's events and in UNL sorority houses).

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