Feb. 23, 2018

Campus organizations sponsoring ‘Love Your Body Week’ activities

Northwest Missouri State University groups are raising awareness about health eating habits and body image Feb. 26 through March 1 during “Love Your Body Week.”

The Northwest Student Dietetics Association (NSDA), Wellness Services, Sigma Society and the Robert and Virginia Foster Fitness Center are partnering to sponsor the week’s activities, which coincide with National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

The week’s activities are highlighted with a screening of “The Illusionists,” a film about the marketing of unattainable beauty for men and women throughout the world at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in Colden Hall Room 3500. The free event will include a panel discussion with body image and eating disorder experts. Popcorn as well as body image and eating habits screenings also will be available.

The film screening is sponsored by Body U, a program adopted by Northwest last year to connect students with information about body image and healthy eating behaviors.

“This film makes you take a good look at what you think of yourself and others, based on media messages and what culture dictates as a result,” Arianna Watson, a Northwest student from Danville, Illinois, who is majoring in foods and nutrition with a dietetics emphasis, said. “This film may also make you take a harder look at the products you buy, allowing you to consider if the manufacturer is promoting an image that is simply unattainable.”

Additionally, the Foster Fitness Center will offer a body positivity activity throughout the week.

“The week’s activities are simply to allow students to have fun while examining why they appreciate their bodies and all they do for us,” Watson said.