Body Positive @ UVa

 

 

The Eating Disorders Education Initiative (EDEI)

Respect | Compassion | Awareness | Community| Diversity | Collaboration

Information about eating, body image, exercise concerns, disordered eating, and eating disorders.

Our Work

The mission of the Women’s Center Eating Disorders Education Initiative (EDEI) is to work with our partners to provide education, outreach services, and resources about disordered eating, body image, and exercise concerns to the University community in order to create awareness about these issues, support those affected, and reduce prevalence. The program envisions a body positive community at U.Va. where everyone enjoys a healthy relationship with food, exercise, and body image.

Did you know?

The National College Health Assessment report (in which U.Va. students participated) was published in 2010, and the results are troubling:

• 51% of students exercise to lose weigh; 35% diet to lose weight.
• 21% said their appearance was traumatic or difficult to handle.
• 80% reported experiencing more than average or tremendous stress.

We also know from other data sources that:

• 60% of college women have disordered eating. (National College Health Assessmemt, 2007)
• 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting; 22% dieted "often" or "always." (Kurth et al., 1995)
• 67% of women ages 15-64 withdraw from life-engaging activities such as giving an opinion, going to school, and going to the doctor because they feel badly about their bodies. (http://www.bodyimageprogram.org)
• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml)
• Rates of minorities with eating disorders are similar to those of white women. (http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm)

Web Articles

For an overview and updates about the exciting work that the Women's Center Eating Disorders Education Initiative is doing at U.Va., please read the following articles:

• 60% of UVa Students have Disordered Eating

Reflections @ U.Va.

The Women’s Center, in collaboration with U.Va.’s Student Health, Intramural Recreational Sports, and Office of Residence Life, provides the Reflections program to groups of women across Grounds. This program helps college women establish and maintain positive body image. Using highly interactive staff and peer-led small groups, Reflections is a two-day intervention program designed by experts for college campuses throughout North America. The program does not focus on eating disorders; rather, it emphasizes creating and affirming positive and healthy personal body image through a variety of structured discussions, activities, and exercises. To learn more, visit www.bodyimageprogram.org.

In recent literature and from our experience speaking with students, stress plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of disordered eating. Coping interventions, such as the Reflections program, are crucial for the prevention of disordered behavior and relapse.

Participant Comments

Reflections is an excellent program that pushes us to explore the implications of measuring our self worth and value based on our outer body. It was amazing to hear my peers speak about the same issues that I face all the time, especially because sometimes I feel like I'm the only one facing them. I now feel more comfortable talking with others about their image issues and can now provide better support and encouragement. I didn't know that we all struggle with such similar things.

Database

Click here to see our great database of resources!