UNL's Eating Disorder Education and Prevention group is offering a variety of events in conjunction with National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, Feb. 26-March 2.
The theme of UNL events is "Perfectly Imperfect. Redefining Beauty."
The events are not only designed to raise awareness of the deadliest mental health illness, but also the health and body issues as they relate to themes of society, marketing/media, nutrition/exercise, gender, psychology, and other relevant fields. The goal of the events is to raise awareness and reduce the negative stigma associated to the term "eating disorder."
The events opened Feb. 27 with an information booth in the Nebraska Union and a showing of the award-winning documentary "America the Beautiful." Other events include a showing of the documentary "Bigger, Stronger, Faster;" a body image forum led by Husker athletes; and a candlelight vigil in Omaha. A complete list of events is below.
Throughout the week, Students Helping Individuals Nurture Esteem will give presentations at various campus locations. These presentations include:
— 2 p.m., March 1, Nebraska Union, "Mindful Eating"
— 6:30 p.m., March 1, Nebraska Union, "Normal Eating"
— 1 p.m., March 2, East Union, "How to Help a Friend"
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 Real" 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; and Campus Recreation. All events are free and open to the public.
This marks the 16th year that UNL has observed the week. For more information, go to http://health.unl.edu/caps/edep or send email to edep_shine@hotmail.com.
The schedule of events for "Perfectly Imperfect. Redefining Beauty" includes:
Feb. 28 — Showing of the documentary "Bigger, Stronger, Faster," 7 p.m., Nebraska Union. The award-winning documentary explores how America sees itself as the biggest, strongest and fastest country in the world and how that translates into the way American's enhance their bodies and choose heroes. Three brothers in the film discuss their experience with the steroid-subculture.
Feb. 29 — Husker Athletic Panel, 7 p.m., Nebraska Union. Discussion on the realities of body image and the pressures faced by college athletes. Panel of athletes from a variety of Husker sports teams will also take questions from the audience.
March 1 — SHINE presentation, "Mindful Eating," 2 p.m., Nebraska Union; SHINE presentation, "Normal Eating," 6:30 p.m., Nebraska Union; Candlelight Vigil, 7 p.m., Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., Omaha.
March 2 — SHINE presentation, "How to Help a Friend," 1 p.m., East Union.
Ongoing activity – Information Booth, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily in the Nebraska Union.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/dy6