National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

This year's NEDAwareness Week theme is "Everybody Knows Somebody," because awareness of eating disorders is certainly spreading. The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues, while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses - not choices - and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.

What is NEDAwareness Week?
NEDAwareness Week is a collective effort of volunteers, including eating disorder professionals, health care providers, students, educators, social workers, and individuals committed to raising awareness of the dangers surrounding eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment.

University of Idaho NEDAwareness Week events

Monday, February 25-Friday, March 1
TLC Wall Display – “Everybody Knows Somebody”
A visual representation of who is affected by eating disorders and how to help a friend struggling with disordered eating.

Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28
Informational tabling
11:00 am -1:00 pm, TLC Balcony
Stop by the informational table for resources or to speak with the Campus Dietitian. Counseling and Testing Center will provide handouts and informational brochures on eating disorders and how to help a friend.

Wednesday, February 27
Free film: “America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments”
7:00 pm, Women’s Center lounge (Mem Gym, 109)
In an instant, 29 million Americans became fat, out of shape and dangerously obese….and they did it without taking a single bite of food. It was all the result of a decision to change the national standard for obesity. The question is: “What was behind a ruling to declare so many people to be fat? Was it political, financial, or for the good of humankind?” Award-winning director Darryl Roberts examines the cause of our country’s obsession with dieting. The film also examines the raging debate between doctors who say fat is healthy, versus those who disagree. There’s also the revelation that — based on new “fat” guidelines — LeBron James, one of the world’s greatest athletes, is obese. So are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, and Christian Bale. Roberts’ film humanizes what has become an intellectual debate over whether weight loss programs should ever be promoted. Featuring spiritual guru Deepak Chopra, Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius, the Arch Bishop of New York Timothy Dolan, Paul Campos, author Christian Lander, Carolyn Costin and former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher.

Thursday, February 28
8:30 pm, SRC Yoga Room
FREE Gentle Yoga class with Lauren Fins
This basic yoga class will provide an opportunity for participants to stretch and tone and gently release the tensions of the day. No previous yoga experience is needed. A focus on breath, guidance through a series of poses with options, and flowing transitions will help to foster a sense of calm, relaxation and inner peace. Lauren Fins has been practicing yoga for 4+ years and has recently retired after 33 years of teaching at the University of Idaho. For more information, email lfins@uidaho.edu.

Friday, March 1
12:30-1:30 pm, Common’s Horizon Room 4th Floor
Presentation: Eating Disorders—Everybody Knows Somebody by Samantha Ramsay, PhD, RD, LD.
Dr. Ramsay will present on eating disorders and how to approach a friend struggling with disordered eating. This presentation is open to the public and will provide practical, credible knowledge from a nutrition expert.

Resources for education around eating disorders

National Eating Disorders Association
Vandal Health Education
University of Idaho Counseling & Testing Center