Contact: Amy Gilliam
Jill Kindy
“Our culture needs to recognize that people come in all shapes and sizes and that every body is beautiful. University Health Service’s goal is for individuals to focus on health and fitness rather than on trying to change their body shape to fit an ideal.”
-- Jill Kindy,
registered dietitian,
University Health Service,
University of Kentucky
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2005) -- For anyone suffering from an eating disorder, their self-perception differs dramatically from reality. Recognizing the very real, life-threatening consequences of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, University of Kentucky organizations are raising awareness among students to portray how distorted the self-image of someone suffering from an eating disorder can be.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, anorexia and bulimia affect nearly 10 million women and 1 million men (primarily teens and young adults) in reported cases in the United States and can be fatal.
The objective of Eating Disorders Awareness Week is to help raise awareness that the emotional and physical devastation of eating disorders and body image issues can be prevented. It provides the opportunity to spread the message that self-esteem cannot be weighed in pounds on a scale.
During the week of Feb. 28-March 4, UK Counseling, Awareness, Resources, and Educational Services (UK CARES), University Health Service, and University Counseling and Testing Center are raising awareness for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
UK CARES representatives will be available at two locations to answer questions and distribute pamphlets about eating disorders.
A panel presentation on eating disorders is slated from 7 to 8 p.m. March 3 in the William T. Young Library Auditorium. The panel will include several professionals and an eating disorders survivor.
“Our culture needs to recognize that people come in all shapes and sizes and that every body is beautiful,” said Jill Kindy, registered dietitian at University Health Service. “University Health Service’s goal is for individuals to focus on health and fitness rather than on trying to change their body shape to fit an ideal.”
Signs of eating disorders include: a marked increase or decrease in weight not related to a medical condition, preoccupation with food and weight, conversations about "feeling fat" when weight is normal or below normal, low self-esteem, knowledge about the number of calories and fat content in foods, and obsessive exercising.
“Eighty percent of all American women are dissatisfied with their body image,” Kindy said. "It is fairly likely that you or someone you know could be dealing with body dissatisfaction, eating concerns, or a clinical eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive overeating. It’s important to make sure people look at their body weight as a fitness issue.”
When someone suspects a friend of having an eating disorder, he or she should talk to the friend privately and express concerns about the friend's emotional and physical health.
"When approaching a family member, friend or co-worker, try not to focus on eating and weight, but on your concern for that person’s health and safety," Kindy said. "It’s important to remember that an eating disorder is not only a problem, but also can be an attempt to solve a problem."
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