If you weren't aware of it, this is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (February 21st-27th) sponsored by the National Eating Disorders Organization. There are a number of events taking place all across the country in honor of this week.
Why is this week important? Eating disorders are serious mental health issues. Even if you have not been directly impacted by an eating disorder, it's likely that you have a sister, aunt, friend or boyfriend who has been touch by them in some way.
While the main focus is on raising awareness, prevention and treatment of eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, disordered eating), discussion about the media, culture and body image will be a significant topic. Everyday we are bombarded with airbrushed images and media that is damaging to our self-esteem. This is the perfect week to discuss how these factors impact the way we eat and see ourselves.
If you are interested in getting involved, you will find free screenings, fashion shows, scale smashings, documentaries, and lectures. Many events are taking place or sponsored by universities and health fairs. If you'd like to find out what is happening in your area, contact www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
The list below has a few examples of events taking place across the country. There are many more available.
Speakers:
Eating Mindfully Lecture by Dr. Susan Albers. Dr. Albers will be discussing the art of mindful eating at the University of Delaware
http://www.udel.edu/nedaw/ and
www.eatingmindfully.com
Jenni Schaefer will speak to the community about life after recovery which she describes from personal experience in her new book, Goodbye Ed, Hello Me: Recover from Your Eating Disorder and Fall in Love with Life. http://www.jennischaefer.com/
Nutrition therapist, author and speaker Evelyn Tribole will share her ideas on "Intuitive Eating" during Body Appreciation Week at SUNY Cortland. The co-author with Elyse Resch of the bestselling book Intuitive Eating, Tribole will discuss Intuitive Eating: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Food, Mind and Body at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, in the Corey Union Function Room. A reception and book signing will follow the event.
Beauty, Body image, Disorder Eating and Campus Life. Free Event. Saturday, Feb 27th The Omni Building, Uniondale Long Island, NY
America's Next Top Model Winner Whitney Thompson Joins NEDA's Mission to Promote Positive Body Image and Awareness of Eating Disorders. National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Feb. 21-27.
Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008 will Speak during "Love Your Body Day" at the annual UA event on Monday, Feb 22
Michael Levine, the Samuel B. Cummings Jr. Professor of Psychology and former chair of the psychology department at Kenyon College, will lecture on "Changing/Challenging the World One American Idol at a Time: What Each of Us Can Do Every Day to Prevent Eating Disorders," at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Herrick Hall Auditorium (500 West Loop).
Jessica Weiner: http://www.jessweiner.com/ http://www.eatingdisorder.org/events.php
Evening Lecture with Kathryn Zerbe, MD: What's Your Best Friend Not Telling You? Eating Disorders in Adolescence, Adulthood, Middle Age and Beyond, Thursday, February 18, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
University of Colorado at Boulder Monday, Feb. 26, through Friday, March 2, featuring a variety of free lectures, discussions and therapy booths targeted to both men and women.
NEDA WALKS: To sign up for a charity walk
San Diego NEDA Walk (Crown Point, Mission Bay)
Sunday, February 21st. Registration at 9 am; Walk at 10 am.
Hosted by Bridgett Whitlow at UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Clinic
St. Louis NEDA Walk (Tower Grove Park at Sons of Rest Shelter)
Saturday, March 27th. Walk at 10 am.
Hosted by Kate Evett at McCallum Place
Seattle NEDA Walk (Cal Anderson Park, Capital Hill, Seattle)
Saturday, April 17th. Registration at 10 am, Walk at 11 am.
Hosted by NEDA
NW Ohio NEDA Walk (Olander Park, Sylvania)
Sunday, April 25th, Walk at 10 am.
Hosted by Jan Lockert
Milwaukee NEDA Walk (Fowler Lake, Oconomowoc)
Sunday, July 18th. Registration at 8:15 am, Walk at 9 am.
Hosted by Erin McGinty at The REDI Clinic
Documentaries:
America The Beautiful - A Film By Darryl Roberts that's reveals the modeling industries obsession with beauty.
Who/What: "Beauty in the Eyes of the Beheld" is a documentary by Liza Figueroa Kravinsky looking at modern perceptions of beauty - including weight. "Being beautiful is overrated," says the filmmaker, who interviewed and followed the lives of former beauty pageant queens, a physician, an exotic dancer, an entrepreneur and a musician who worked with famous rock star Prince.
"Wet Dreams and False Images" is a Sundance award-winning documentary by Jesse Epstein that utilizes humor to raise serious concerns about the marketplace of commercial illusion - photo retouching in magazines and ads - and unrealizable standards of physical perfection.
When: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 7 pm - 10 pm
Where: Pace University/East of City Hall, One Pace Plaza, Student Union - B Level, New York, NY 10038. Directions: http://www.pace.edu/pace/about-us/all-about-pace/directions-to-all-campuses/new-york-city-campus
Thin. by Lauren Greenfield, which portrays various women receiving treatment for eating disorders
Candelight Vigil: Eating Recovery Center Partners with The Eating Disorder Foundation to Host Candlelight Vigil to Increase Awareness of Eating Disorders. Candlelight Vigil and Wine Reception
When: Tuesday, February 23, 2010. Complimentary wine reception to start at 5 p.m.Vigil to follow at 6:30 p.m. Where: Wellshire Event Center (formerly Wellshire Inn)3333 South Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222
Jeans Giveway: Feel comfortable in your jeans. Give your old jeans away to charity
By Dr. Susan Albers, psychologist and author of the new book, 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food and Eating Mindfully. www.eatingmindfully.com Note: Please email DrAlbers@eatingmindfully.com if you would like your event posted here.