Five percent of UB students take diet pills, laxatives or induce vomiting to lose weight, according to a National College Health Assessment taken in 2007.
Nationally, as many as 10 million females and one million males suffer from eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and binge eating, according to the National Eating Disorders Association Web site.
In acknowledgement of this widespread problem, the Student Wellness Center will present Eating Disorders Awareness Week from Feb. 24 through March 1. The events are in correlation with National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
"[Events will] bring awareness of the issue of eating disorders to the UB community in a positive way," said Janice Cochran, nutritionist and dietitian for Student Health and Wellness.
Unhealthy eating habits are not rare at UB, according to Cochran.
"Research suggests some college students of normal weight are dieting. Though not everyone who diets develops an eating disorder, severe dieting is a strong predictor for eating disorders," she said.
The goal of the week's events is to inform students about the prominent health issue, according to Cochran.
"Exposure [is important] so that students understand that eating disorders do exist and that it is not an uncommon problem and there is help on campus," Cochran said.
The event is also intended to help students get in touch with themselves.
"It's to raise awareness of eating and body image issues and raise awareness of how men and women feel and take care of their bodies," said Amana Carvalho, clinical psychologist for UB Counseling Services. "We want to get people to get to know themselves better."
The activities will include arts and crafts and a dance show to be performed by UB students.
The first event is called "Mirror of Myself" and will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Student Union lobby.
"The Wellness Team will be handing out mirrors for students to decorate and focus on their positive image," Carvalho said.
Carvalho explained that these mirrors, and the music played during the event, will serve as positive reminders to keep a good self image.
The second event will be "Making Connections: An Interactive Body Movement Program."
It will attempt to teach students about the healing process of their minds and bodies. The first part of the event will involve teaching students movements to help people appreciate their bodies. The second part will feature speakers and take a more educational approach.
"This is more of an interactive program so students become more aware of the mind-body connection," Carvalho said.
The program was designed to show students that both mind and body are equally important, so they can see how they can and should honor every part of themselves, according to Carvalho.
This event will be held on March 6, at the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
