Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Photo Illustration by Rachel Stone Stress is a major contributor to unhealthy eating behaviors.

Disordered Eating is much more than Eating Disorders, and last week a partnership between the Counseling Center and Campus Recreation tried to bring more information to the students of Eastern during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

A major contributor to unhealthy eating behavior includes stress. "You really see those risky behaviors after the new year and before spring break. People are just busy and trying to lose weight," said Jessica Gernert, assistant director of campus recreation.

Some of the issues Gernert said arise most among students include classic eating disorders such as Anorexia, Bulimia-nervosa, and Compulsive Exercising in addition to unhealthy behaviors such as skipping meals and emotional eating. "We want all students to participate in healthy behaviors," Gernert said.

Joe Cannon, a freshman undecided major from Lexington, said he can see why freshmen, especially, might battle eating disorders.

"If you are coming to college for the first time, you are meeting new people and you worry about what you look like."

"Mirrorless Monday," which Gernert said was one of the most successful parts of the week, included covering the mirrors in the Group Fitness rooms at the Fitness and Wellness Center and the Powell bathrooms with paper. Students were encouraged to write positive affirmations on the sheets of paper, which were displayed all week.

"You can always see yourself. You are always looking at what you may not be happy with," Gernert said. "This lets people show the positive things about themselves that are qualities you may not be able to see in a mirror." More than 50 people wrote messages, ranging from humorous to inspiring. These included everything from, "I love my big feet!" to "I love my determination."

The week also included workshops at the Counseling Center and at the Fitness and Wellness Center. "The turnout was disappointing, but since is the first year we've really done this we are just going to figure out to improve for next year," said Gernert. The Counseling Center had 3 participants at its workshop while the Fitness and Wellness Center had no participants. The week also focused on the idea of "No Dieting."

"It's really all about loving your jeans genes. Just loving the way you look," Gernert said.

Continued...

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