Contact: Maridith Geuder
Public programs to educate, prevent and provide early intervention for eating disorders will be highlighted Feb. 15-18 at Mississippi State University.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week activities are being sponsored by the John C. Longest Student Health Center in cooperation with the non-profit organization Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention.
"Nearly eight million American women suffer from an eating disorder," said Karen Manzella of Starkville, outreach coordinator for the events.
Manzella, a graduate student in counselor education, said approximately 2 percent of American women suffer from anorexia nervosa, and up to 5 percent of college-aged women suffer from bulimia.
"At any given time, 45 percent of American girls and women are on a diet, and dieting is the No. 1 precursor to development of an eating disorder," she added.
Thirteen programs led by MSU faculty and staff will address such topics as the warning signs of an eating disorder and the development of healthy body images. Sessions also will focus on specific MSU resources for students and others who have eating or body image concerns.
Also during the week:
--Susan Young, a University of Southern Mississippi psychologist, will make two presentations. At 8 p.m. on the 15th in Lee Hall auditorium, she discusses feminist psychology, college women and eating disorders. At 4 p.m. on the 16th in Simrall Auditorium, the relationship between social forces, women's weight and the acquisition of power are topics.
--NightMoves, a social issues theater ensemble of MSU students, performs at 7 p.m. on the 17th and 18th, also in Lee Hall auditorium.
Throughout the week, the University Counseling Center will provide free exercise, body image and eating habits screenings for students.
For more information about the programs or to receive a copy of the events schedule, telephone (601) 325-7545.