The National Eating Disorders Awareness Association plans to urge the nation to “Get Real” during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week at the end of the month, but Tennessee Tech has organized its activities for Feb. 20-26, a week prior to the official nationwide week.

Annually co-sponsored by a group of campus organizations — the Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Student Affairs, Women's Center, Fitness Center, Residential Life, Health Services, and Greek Life — the week’s calendar provides a variety of programs and events specifically targeting the campus community.

NEDAW is the nation’s largest eating disorders outreach effort. More than 500 volunteer activists across the country will partner with NEDA to help individuals in their communities “get real” expectations, information and help.

The campaign is part of NEDA’s effort to provide the public with a serious and powerful look at the dangerous consequences of eating disorders — to increase public understanding that eating disorders are real illnesses happening to real people, and that they demand serious attention.

NEDA considers eating disorders a silent epidemic with devastating and life-threatening consequences that affect people from all walks of life, including young children, middle-aged women and men, and individuals of all races and ethnicity.
The peak onset of eating disorders occurs during puberty and the late teen/early adult years. At least 10 million females and 1 million males in the U.S. are battling anorexia and bulimia, while another 25 million suffer from binge eating disorder. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

K-12 schools, colleges and communities across the United States, including TTU, have teamed up with NEDA to fight the misleading attitudes and behaviors that contribute to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Here's the schedule of events on our campus:

* “Put the Fun in Fitness,” Monday, Feb. 21, at the Fitness Center. Participants are encouraged to bring a pair of jeans to the Great Jeans Giveaway and take part in a free fitness class. All donated jeans will be given to a local charity following NEDAW.

* Free eating disorder screenings, Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 9 to 11 a.m., and Thursday, Feb. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Counseling Center, Roaden University Center 307.

* “Taking Off the Mask,” a skit presented by the Women's Commission, Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 11 to noon, in the Backdoor Playhouse. The skit will be followed by a short talk given by Cindy Webster from the Counseling Center.

* “Banish All Ridiculous Body Image Expectations,” Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2.p.m. on the first floor of the RUC. Residential Life will also be showing films regarding eating disorders on Cable Channel 18 as part of ResLife Cinema.

The planning committee is also sponsoring the following passive programs during NEDAW:

* The Fitness Center will present a silent program on the second floor next to the Health Promotions office in the Fitness Center, Room 214.

* The Women’s Center will present silent programs in the Women’s Center and in the RUC and will also be handing out information about eating disorders in the mornings on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of NEDAW on the ground floor of the RUC.

* Residential Life and the Fitness Center will present a “Don’t Fight Your Genes, Just Change Your Jeans” display in the Fitness Center.

* Residential Life will also present bulletin boards in each residence hall. Informational flyers will be distributed to each resident and informational slides will run continuously on Channel 18.

* The Bookstore will present a book display about eating disorders and body image concerns.

NEDA is dedicated to expanding public understanding of eating disorders and promoting access to quality treatment for those affected along with support for their families through education, advocacy and research.

If you suspect that you or someone you love has an eating disorder, you can talk with a member of the Counseling Center staff by calling 3331 or Health Services staff at 3320. Also feel free to call NEDA at 1-800-931-2237. Information may also be obtained by going to www.NationalEatingDisorders.org. NEDA provides information about eating disorders as well as referrals to treatment providers.