National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

We hope the first few weeks back at school have been treating you well and you are off to a fantastic start!  Are you wondering what events and activities are coming this semester?  Here is a look into Eating Disorders Awareness Week:


Information

 

The Health Education Resource Center (HERC) and Counseling Center are partnering in February for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  This national campaign will take place February 22^nd through February 26^th.  The HERC and Counseling Center will have an interactive table set up in front of the Union Food Court to engage students in learning about eating disorders.  How do eating disorders affect EIU students?

 

• Eating disorders affect not only physical health, but all facets of health such as emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, and social well-being
• The diagnosed rate of eating disorders has been increasing since 1950
• Depression and other mood disorders co-occur with eating disorders frequently
• Those with an eating disorder have a much higher risk for developing obsessive-compulsive disorder
• For many reasons, many cases are not likely to be reported

 

As an EIU community, we can start at the ground level: prevention.  Prevention efforts are any systematic attempt to change the circumstances that promote, initiate, sustain, or intensify problems like eating disorders.  Our prevention efforts include reducing negative risk factors, such as body dissatisfaction, and increasing protective factors, such as appreciating all our bodies do for us.

 

Please stop by the table in front of the Union Food Court to learn more on how we as an EIU Community can start promoting healthy bodies and increase our prevention efforts.  Representatives from both the HERC and Counseling Center will be there to answer any of your questions.


Resources 

 

If you would like to speak with someone privately about this issue, please contact the EIU Counseling Center (217-581-3413) to schedule an appointment with one of our trained professional staff. The Counseling Center is open Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.


If you would like to speak with someone about your health and one-on-one nutrition consultation, please contact the HERC (217-581-7786).

 

Students, we are here to help YOU!  Your physical and mental health matter to us. For more information, check out these websites:

 

EIU Counseling Center: http://www.eiu.edu/counsctr/

EIU HERC: http://www.eiu.edu/herc

National Eating Disorders Association: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/