National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDAwareness) Week is all about raising awareness about eating disorders. The ultimate goal of NEDAwareness Week is to reduce stigma surrounding eating disorders, to increase treatment utilization among those struggling with the disease, and to prevent eating disorders and body image concerns in those who might be vulnerable to their development.

The NEDAwareness Week theme this year is “Everybody Knows Somebody.” Last year, over 30 countries participated in this event, including all 50 U.S. States. This year, we hope to provide an even greater reach, both nationally and within our community. To reach as much of the Carolina student body as possible, the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (CEED) has partnered with UNC Panhellenic Council, Student Recreation Center (SRC), Counseling Health Services, and Campus Dining to put together a host of events occurring throughout the week and across the campus. Check out the events we have planned this year and see how you can get involved today:

Monday, February 25th

• Eating Disorders Myth Busters @ Lenoir – 11:30AM-1PM

• Franklin Street Benefit: Raising awareness and funds to support eating disorders research and outreach – all day

Get frozen yogurt at Sweet Frog anytime from 12-11PM and mention that you want to support the Eating Disorders program.  They will donate 10-20% of the proceeds to our program.

Shop at Clothes Hound from 6-9PM and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to our program.

You’ll also receive an informational brochure about eating disorders treatment at UNC.

http://www.facebook.com/events/124268227747246/

• Eating for Exercise: The Recipe for Fitness class @ the SRC – 5:30-7pm

Campus Rec and Carolina Dining Services have teamed up to provide information on eating and exercise.  A campus rec nutritionist will offer information on pre- and post- workout food choices. After the talk, there will be a 30-minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class and a Q&A session with a dietitian and personal trainer.  Food samples, recipes, and fitness plans will be provided in addition to information on eating disorders.

Tuesday, February 26

• Eating Disorders Myth Busters @ Rams Head – 11:30AM-1PM

• Mirrorless Fitness @ the SRC – all day

Come reflect on the purpose of exercise, and practice honoring your body for what it does (physical function) rather than what it looks like (aesthetics).  Mirrors in the SRC group fitness classes will be covered in all classes to prevent body bashing and enhance awareness of your body’s functioning and movement.

Also, come listen to the UNC a capella groups’ (Achordants, Tar Heel Voices, Cadence, and Loreleis) 4-song “Positive Body Image Mash-Up”, a recording of songs promoting positive body image and self-esteem, which will be played at all classes throughout the day.

• Tweet Chat about Eating Disorders with Dr. Cynthia Bulik- 1pm

This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and share your own personal story! The chat is hosted by ABC News’ chief medical correspondent Dr. Richard Besser. Guests include experts from the Mayo Clinic, NEDA, NYU and UNC.

To participate, simply head over to Twitter tomorrow (Tuesday, February 26th) at 1:00PM ET and search for the hash tag #abcDRBchat. You can also just enter that hash tag into tweetchat.com and follow a streamlined version of the chat. You don’t have to be a twitter expert to participate, but if you need help, follow the link below.

We look forward to giving you the most up-to-date information on this important topic.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/dr-bessers-live-twitter-chat-join/story?id=18343653

• Embody Training @ 3408 Student Union – 5-9PM

Embody is a peer to peer led training program that provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify eating disorders and serve as compassionate and effective allies to those suffering from the disease. A CEED professional is present at all workshops. Must pre-register. Dinner from Med Deli included.

http://www.facebook.com/UncEmbody?fref=ts

• Embody Carolina Opening Celebration @ 3408 Student Union – 9-10PM

Join us for pastries, and sign up to be Embody trained! UNC-CEED Professionals will be present to answer questions you have about eating disorders prevention and  treatment.

Wednesday, February 27

• Get Smart, Get Comfortable, and Reflect on What’s Within: Eating Disorders Information and Activity Booth @ the Pit – 11AM – 1PM

Pick up your NEDAwareness pin (pictured left) and stop by the booth to…

**Get Smart!**
Have a friend or family member who is struggling with an eating disorder? Have questions about how to talk with them? Want to get more involved in eating disorder awareness activities in your community? Meet members of the CEED, UNC Counseling and Wellness Services, and SCR to get your questions answered by experts in the field.

**Get Comfortable in your Genes!**
Have an old pair of jeans that no longer fit? Rather than hope that one day you will be able to “squeeze” into your “skinny jeans,” ditch ’em and start sending the message to yourself that you are more than just a number on a tag. Drop off your jeans at our booth and have your jeans donated to a local charity. With this charitable act, donators will take an important step toward honoring their body and the genes they were given, while also helping disadvantaged households afford a pair of comfortable jeans.

**Reflect on What’s Within: Chalk-It-Up!**
Stop criticizing yourself and start practicing positive self-talk. Join in on our “chalk-it-up party,” and outline your silhouette in colored chalk on the ground, decorating it with positive, uplifting messages and pictures. Start celebrating who you are, not what you look like!

https://www.facebook.com/events/139334676229066/

• Celebrate Your Body: Free Hip-Hop Class @ the SRC –  6:30-7:45PM

Step-Up dancer and choreographer Joseph Nontanovan will lead a master hip hopclass open to the community. Information about eating disorders and the signs/symptoms of unhealthy exercise will be provided.

http://www.facebook.com/events/148976248590182/

Thursday, February 28

• Greek Groove 2013 @ Memorial Hall-  7-9PM

Come watch this dance competition, put on by the sororities within the UNC Panhellenic Council in part to raise eating disorder awareness and funds. Money raised goes toward eating disorder research and outreach (e.g., funding Embody Carolina).

http://www.facebook.com/events/324280537682156/

Raffle tickets will be given out at each event with prizes drawn at the Greek Groove on Thursday. Prizes include Top of the Hill gift cards , a private “bombshell bash” (20% off all items) for you and a group of friends at Bevello, Panera gift cards, a coupon pack to Noodles and co., and a UNC sign from Shrunkenhead.

Join in on the cause and do just one thing today!

Read more about NEDAwareness Week here: http://nedawareness.org/. Raise awareness about eating disorders on twitter and use the hashtag #NEDAwareness.

By: Cristin Runfola, PhD, and the Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders