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| Body Acceptance Week is Feb. 26 to March 2. “Don't fight your genes, just change your jeans!” |
During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 26 to March 2, Student Health Services will host a series of events to help improve body acceptance including the Great Jeans Giveaway.
The need for size-acceptance and eating disorders prevention is clear. In the United States alone, 10 million females and 1 million males struggle with the devastating, life-threatening effects of eating disorders anorexia and bulimia. Another 25 million suffer from binge eating disorder. At a sub-clinical level, 80 percent of American women are dissatisfied with their bodies. At Cal Poly Pomona, 49 percent of females report dissatisfaction with their weight, according to data based on a 2004 National College Health Assessment survey.
During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, individuals and communities throughout the country will participate in events to raise awareness about body image and eating issues.
At Cal Poly Pomona, look for donation boxes around campus where you can leave those old pairs of jeans that no longer feel comfortable and receive a free T-shirt. Once collected, the jeans will be donated to charity. Collection boxes will be located at various locations including the residence halls, Student Health Services and the Wellness Center
There will also be two Love Your Body booths set up in the University Park on Feb. 27 and March 1, from noon until 1 p.m. to collect jeans and provide information on body acceptance and eating disorders. Participants will get a chance to smash the symbolic “Scale Pinata.” The booths will also display the “What are They Trying to Sell You?” game in which one can guess the product being advertised, and enter a chance to win a prize.
Inside Out Day will commence on March 1, in which everyone is encouraged to wear their clothing inside out this day to symbolize “It's What's Inside that Counts.” T-shirts will be awarded to those who are found participating in this event.
The final component of Body Acceptance Week will be a poetry contest, open to those who, in the spirit of Body Acceptance Week, compose a poem about what makes their body beautiful and unique. All submissions are due to the Wellness Center by 3 p.m. on March 2. A prize will be awarded to the chosen winner.
For more information, contact Ty Ramsower, health educator, (909) 869-2753 or go to: https://dsa.cpp.edu/shs/twc/BAW.asp.