UMaine Peer Education Program to Sponsor Celebrate EveryBODY Week; Activities to Promote Eating Disorders Awareness
Contact: Angela Fiandaca at 581-1397
ORONO — The University of Maine’s Peer Education Program, part of Residence Life and Programs, will sponsor Celebrate EveryBODY Week in promotion of eating disorders awareness Monday March 21 through Friday March 25 at the UMaine campus. All events are free and open to the public.
The purpose of the events is to promote awareness about eating disorders, disordered eating, fad diets, healthy eating, body image and more. All of these things affect thousands of men and women — particularly of the college population. “It’s so important to provide the information about these topics that no one else seems to be providing to students,” said Angela Fiandaca, graduate assistant for the Peer Education Program. “Students are interested in this. It’s time someone provides the answers to their questions.”
The week begins with a “Wellness Fair” Monday March 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of Memorial Union. Different organizations will staff tables with information related to all wellness topics, including alcohol use, yoga, fitness programs, skin cancer and more. Free massages will be available. Drawings for free prizes will be held throughout the fair.
“Survivors Speak Out” will be held Monday March 21 at 7 p.m. in 101 Neville Hall. UMaine students will speak about their personal experiences with eating disorders, the recovery process and their advice for audience members who might be suffering or know others suffering.
UMaine’s artistic talent can be seen Wednesday March 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Bangor Room of Memorial Union at the “Body Expressions Art Show.” Student submissions will portray men and women’s bodies through paintings, photographs, sculptures, collages and more. Free refreshments served.
RN from South Portland and new author Kristielynne Cutler will give a talk titled “The Skinny on Trends.” She’ll provide information about fad diets, why people get caught up in them, the media’s influences on people and more. A book signing will follow.
UMaine’s Dietitian Laura Honeycutt will provide nutritional information about fad diets, and provide tips on how to stay healthy on little time and a small budget. “Confused About Carbs” will be held in the Bumps Room of Memorial Union Friday March 25 at 12 p.m.
UMaine’s Renaissance women’s singing group and Public Safety Officer Deb Mitchell’s band will perform at the “Rock Your Body Concert” Friday March 25 at 9 p.m. in the Main Dining Room of Memorial Union. The theme is that these prominent UMaine people are not well known based on their looks or body type, but rather based on their talents and personalities.
A clothing drive competition will occur throughout the week among all 18 residence halls on campus. The goal is to donate all the clothes students may have told themselves will fit them if they lose weight. The hall that donates the most clothing will win a free pizza party. All clothes will be donated to local charities.