In recent years, there has been a spark in conversation over body positivity. More social media influencers, models, actors and the like have all come out to share their experience with their individual journeys.
Just as our bodies evolve with age, so has the conversation on body positivity. To join in the conversation, Auburn’s Be Well Hut virtually celebrates Love Your Body Week from Feb. 22-26.
Be Well Hut held a Zoom event on Tuesday and they are posting to their social media throughout the week.
This event happens annually on the last week in February. Designated by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), it brings attention to eating disorders through a plethora of activities scattered throughout the week. The goal is to celebrate recovery, while simultaneously shedding light on ongoing disorders.
“Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder, so we want to bring as much awareness as we can,” said Abbigail Hickey, coordinator of Nutrition Services, a registered dietitian and supervisor for Love Your Body Week.
This year, she said the pandemic has made this week more vital due to the extra stress and the impact of quarantine.
“COVID-19 has been hard on all of us, but we are seeing a rise in eating disorders and poor body image as a result of COVID, just like we are seeing a rise in other mental illnesses,” Hickey said.
She said isolation only increases the severity of the problem. As students experienced quarantine, the issues with eating disorders only seemed to rise.
“A lot of times, eating disorders are a way to cope with really tough things,” Hickey said. “So, we are definitely seeing the impacts as students work through the events of the past year.”
In an effort to abide by COVID guidelines, most events will remain virtual. One of the main events, Auburn Body Positive, occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 3:30 p.m. For this event, a presentation was hosted over Zoom that focused on having a more positive body image through the lens of nutrition and mental health.
Hickey said they hope students walk away from the week with three practical takeaways—first and foremost, to seek help.
“We have a treatment team at Auburn dedicated to helping students heal from their eating disorder, disordered eating or poor body image,” Hickey said.
She encourages students to contact Student Counseling & Psychological Services for any help.
Second, for those on the outside looking in, Hickey encourages students to lovingly support those who may be suffering from an eating disorder.
“Supporting friends and loved ones that are struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating is vital for their recovery,” she said. “Ask how they are feeling and how you can support them.”
Finally, recovery is possible.
“Eating disorders can feel very heavy, but having a full and normal life after an eating disorder is 100% possible,” Hickey said.
Love Your Body Week is here to help with just that, she said.
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Emery Lay, junior in journalism, is a lifestyle writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
