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Inside Iowa State, a newspaper for faculty and staff, is published by the Office of University Relations.

Feb. 13, 2009

"Be Comfortable in Your Genes" events spotlight eating disorders

by Teddi Barron, News Service

Men, women, young, old, large, small: Eating disorders can affect anyone.

"In fact, the number of men struggling with eating disorders is increasing faster than that of women," said Michele Roling, counselor and eating disorders coordinator at student counseling services. "The gender gap is closing."

Student counseling services will present "Be Comfortable in Your Genes, Rock Your Body" during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 22-28.

"Although eating disorders are a common concern, services are available to support people through recovery," Roling said.

The series of events kicks off with "Mirrorless Monday." Mirrors in buildings across campus will be covered with paper to remind people to value themselves from the inside out. People are asked to write positive affirmations on the paper.

America the Beautiful, a documentary that follows the life of a teen model and considers America's obsession with beauty, will be shown at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the Sun Room, Memorial Union. A Q&A will follow with filmmaker Darryl Roberts; author Leigh Cohn; Dr. Denise Steiner, Alexian Brothers Behavioral Hospital, Chicago; and nutritionist Sharon Johnson, Park Nicollet Melrose Institute, Minneapolis.

Cohn, coauthor of Making Weight: Men's Conflicts with Food, Weight, Shape & Appearance, will give a multimedia presentation, "Let's Talk About Men's Bodies (and Women's Too)," at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the Sun Room. He will discuss the objectification of men and women, which can lead to eating disorders and low self-esteem. A book signing will follow.

Other events include:

  • "Don't fight your genes; change your jeans," charity donation of old jeans, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, Memorial Union main hallway
  • Lied Center open house, 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, with free smoothies and health information
  • Community presentation and Q&A with a member of student counseling services, 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Borders Books, 1200 S. Duff Ave., Ames.

Details about the week are online.

Quote

"Although eating disorders are a common concern, services are available to support people through recovery."

Michele Roling