Utah State University Hosts 'Every BODY Rocks'
With the average ages of onset for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa being 19 and 20, college students are at high risk of developing eating disorders.
With those statistics in mind, USU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, as well as the Student Health and Wellness Center, wants to make a difference by hosting a body image fair Thursday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center International Lounge.
The purpose of “Every BODY Rocks,” the theme for the fair, is to encourage the development of healthy body image and acceptance, as well as increase the awareness and prevention of eating disorders, event organizers said. The event provides resources to help those suffering from the pressures of body image.
More than a dozen booths, offered by organizations that include the Student Health Center, Avalon Hills and the Access Center, will provide educational activities and present information relating to body image issues. Participants can sample food, take pictures with a life-size Barbie and learn about ways to love their bodies. Attendees can receive information on how to help friends with eating disorders or body image distress and how individuals unconsciously contribute to negative body perception. The risks of dieting, how to dress for any size and male body image concerns will also be addressed.
“Because the culture and social environment play a big role in our attitudes about body and appearance, we all have a responsibility to learn how we unintentionally contribute to these problems and what we can do to make a difference,” said Eri Bentley, a psychologist at USU’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
In the United States, it is reported that 10 million females and 1 million males are currently fighting an eating disorder.
“Come find out how these lives can take a turn for the better,” Bentley said.
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Contact: Eri Bentley, 435-797-1012, Eri.bentley@usu.edu
Writer: Erika Rasmussen, 801-349-7719, erika.ras@aggiemail.usu.edu
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