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Eating Disorder Prevention and Body Image

Eating Disorder Prevention and Body Image

Eating disorders are real, serious, and complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. Eating disorders significantly hinder a student’s social, emotional and academic success.. We strive to create a culture that promotes size diversity, body acceptance, and a healthier body image for all humans.

 

The Body Project

The Body Project is a body acceptance group that will be meeting once a week for four weeks to discuss our culture of unattainable beauty ideals, how those ideals affect us, and how we can promote more realistic and healthy perspectives. This program has been found to improve body satisfaction, reduce risk for eating disorders, and improve school and social functioning for hundreds of young women across the US.  We are asking any women on campus who are affected by this issue and interested in contributing to the group to participate.

 

Trained peer educators will lead discussions and provide resources.

 

We will be running 2 groups winter quarter 2019:

OR

 

 

Both groups discuss the same content, so pick the one that suits your schedule best. We ask that you attend all 4 sessions and participate in some basic homework exercises.  This will give YOU the best results.

 

RECAP

All female identifying UCSB students are invited to:

  • Sign up for ONE of two groups winter quarter
  • Meet once a week for four weeks
  • Connect with trained peer educators and other like-minded women.
  • discuss our culture of unattainable beauty ideals
  • promote more realistic and healthy perspectives
  • Improve body satisfaction, reduce risk for eating disorders
  • Improve school and social functioning
  • Participation is free

 

Email Joanna or Arzoo at wellness@sa.ucsb.edu with questions.

Eating Disorder Prevention Tips

Tip #1
Eating disorders and disordered eating can be reduced by increasing media literacy skills, reframing unhealthy thoughts, and developing a weight-neutral, health-centered approach to self-care.
Tip #2
People struggling with an eating disorder need to seek professional help. The earlier one seeks treatment, the greater the likelihood of physical and emotional recovery. Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Early detection and intervention are important.
Tip #3
Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill.

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Positive Body Image Tips

Tip #1
Weight stigma, dieting, social media use, exposure to and pressure exerted by media, and  the sociocultural idealization of thinness increase body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.
Tip #2
Increase protective factors against negative body image, like a non-appearance-oriented definition of yourself.
Tip #3
Replace dieting and body snarking with intuitive eating and appreciation for your body’s functionality.

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