Too often dieting takes the place of healthy living, and body obsession gets in the way of self-confidence. February is National Eating Disorders Awareness month, a time for the Ole Miss community to rise up, talk about and denounce negative body images.
A negative body image is a massive issue for college students, and since February is National Eating Disorders Awareness month, now is the time to address it.
While exercise, dieting and healthy living are good on the surface, they can lead to obsessive habits and low self-esteem.
Sara Wilburn, a nutrition graduate student and dietetic intern at the university, said that her goal this month is to make people aware of this huge issue.
“Healthy living has become such an epidemic,” she said.
“A person may not have a diagnosed eating disorder, but they may be struggling with body image.”
Dr. Melinda Valliant, a nutrition professor and registered dietitian, echoed this concern.
“As a society we have become so focused on obesity, we forget about the other end of the spectrum,” she said.
“Personally, I think that we don’t do enough to bring awareness to the problem of eating disorder.”
One of the ways this month is used to bring awareness to the issue is through the film “America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments.”
The purpose of the film is to promote healthy living as an alternative to dieting.
The film will show at the Jackson Avenue Center — the math lab — Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.
Darryl Roberts, the producer and director of the film, will be there to speak and answer questions.
There are several resources available for students who think they have an unhealthy relationship with food.
One of these is a new group called Making Peace with Food, which meets at the University Counseling Center on Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m.
This informal group is free and open for any student who even thinks he or she might have a problem.
“It is not structured and covers binge eating, guilt associated with eating certain food and an overall wide spectrum of issues,” Valliant said.
“It’s pretty common to struggle with food,” Valliant said.
In addition to this group, there are one-on-one resources available at the UM Nutrition Clinic in Lenoir Hall and medical help available at Student Health Services.
Valliant says that the student health center is the best place to start if a student thinks he or she has a serious problem.
Wilburn said that students are often afraid to admit they have a problem, but once they have done that, they have taken their first step toward self-peace and confidence.
“I encourage you to challenge yourself and take the first step forward,” Wilburn said.
“You may surprise yourself, for that one step forward, whether it’s talking to a trusted friend or professional, could be the first step toward a new way of living. The important thing is to know you aren’t alone.”
RESOURCES AT A GLANCE
Making Peace with Food
Location: University Counseling Center
Tuesdays 3:30-5 p.m.
Free for all students
Informal group of people who have a variety of struggles with food
University Nutrition Clinic
Location: Lenoir Hall
One-on-one counseling
New service for students
Student Health Center
Medical help
A good place to start if you think you have a serious eating disorder
Showing of the film “America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments” with producer/director Darryl Roberts
Location: Jackson Avenue Center
Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.
Purpose of film is to promote healthy living as an alternative to dieting
“America the Beautiful”
Owned by UM Nutrition Clinic and available for checkout by any group, student organization, etc., that wants to borrow it
