In honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) 2008 which begins Monday, UConn students and staff have organized events such as movie screenings and information tables to draw attention to the escalating trend of eating disorders in today's society.
Members of the peer education group Students Helping to Achieve Positive Esteem (SHAPE) are primed to share their expertise on the subject with the University community. In conjunction with the departments of Student Health Services and Nutrition and Wellness, they have prepared an Eating Disorders Awareness Table open Monday through Thursday in the Student Union. Monday night only, a similar event will be held in the lobby of the South D building.
SHAPE program coordinator Amy Pumerantz also serves as nutrition coordinator and health educator at Student Health Services. She says that this year's NEDAW has broadened its horizons, primarily because of the inclusion of a film titled "Andrea's Voice… Silenced by Bulimia."
The film, according to its official Web site, depicts the story of Andrea Smeltzer and her one-year, fatal struggle with bulimia as compiled by her parents, Tom and Doris Smeltzer, who will be on hand at the scereening to address attendees on bulimia prevention and treatment.
"Andrea's Voice" will be shown free of charge at the Student Union Theater Tuesday at 7 p.m.
According to their Web site, Andrea's parents have spoken about their daughter's tragic demise and their consequential trail of advocacy in over 100 presentations since 2003. An excerpt from the book "Andrea's Voice," written by Mrs. Smeltzer, is telling of the nature of their speech.
"We live in a culture that embraces and promotes distorted thinking about bodies, eating and exercise."
"Sadly, this environment, combined with Andrea's temperament, genetics, and dieting practices proved to be toxic for her. But Andrea was not alone in this. The number of people who are experiencing their lives in a similar way continues to rise."
Lauren Herrick, a 2nd semester sophomore majoring in dietetics, is planning on attending and assisting in the presentation of "Andrea's Voice." As a newly instated member of SHAPE, she expressed her excitement at her first stab at peer education.
"I'll be there to pass out flyers and hand out nutrition bars to people who attend," she said. "I am sure it will be a moving experience."
Along with the presence of SHAPE members, Student Health Services will be sending along the Eating Disorders Support Team, which is comprised of professionals such as nutritionists and psychotherapists willing to extend their services to people in need. The Women's Center is also co-sponsoring the event.
Another NEDAW film presentation this week is "Real Women Have Curves" in the Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Center this Wednesday at 7 p.m. The film has won two Sundance Film Festival awards. It stars America Ferrera as a young Latino woman struggling to reconcile her cultural beliefs with American ideals of beauty and achievement. The event is free of charge.
Pumerantz, when asked about the mission of this week's events, affirmed that a message of hope is at the core.
"We make it clear in terms of the services here that people are not alone. Early intervention increases the potential for recovery," she said.
Contact Sabrina Jara at Sabrina.Jara@UConn.edu.
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