“Change how you see; not how you look” is the motto behind the University’s 2017 Body Appreciation Week. Sponsored by the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, the Counseling Center, the Women and Gender Resource Center, University Recreation, Housing and Residential Communities, Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Career Center, this week will hold a series of events and programs devoted to promoting positive body image and to raise eating disorder awareness on campus.

WHO: The events are open to all students and faculty. 

WHAT: Throughout the week, various body appreciation events will be held across campus.

Registered dietician and assistant director of the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, Sheena Gregg, will hold a “Tasty Tuesday Cooking Demo.” On the same day, there will be a presentation by the Counseling Center and University Programs in Tutwiler Hall titled “Just the Way I am: Appreciating the Skin You’re In.”

On Wednesday, Alison Burnett of Castlewood of the Highlands Eating Disorder Facility will hold a presentation titled “Safezone 2.0, Eating Disorders in the LGBTQ Environment and Creating a LGBTQ Affirming Environment.”

Later, the Women and Gender Resource Center is sponsoring a presentation called “Our Bodies, Our Stories.” This presentation is designed to catch a glimpse into the life of Whitney Thore of TLC’s “My Big Fat Fabulous Life.” A panel of women will then share poems and stories about their personal body image issues.

On Thursday,  in the Ferguson Student Center Ballroom, there will be a fashion show titled “Fashion Rocks and So Does My Body” that is free to attend. The show stared back in 2006, but it has not happened in three years due to construction in the Ferguson Center.

WHEN:
“Tasty Tuesday Cooking Demo” will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m.

“Just the Way I am: Appreciating the Skin You’re In,” is on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

“Safezone 2.0, Eating Disorders in the LGBTQ Environment and Creating a LGBTQ Affirming Environment.” take place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. 

“Our Bodies, Our Stories” will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. 

“Fashion Rocks and So Does My Body” is on Thursday at 7 p.m.

WHERE:

“Tasty Tuesday Cooking Demo” will take place on the second Floor of the Ferguson Center.

“Just the Way I am: Appreciating the Skin You’re In,” will be held in Tutwiler Hall.

“Safezone 2.0, Eating Disorders in the LGBTQ Environment and Creating a LGBTQ Affirming Environment,” will take place in room 2408 of the Ferguson Student Center.

“Our bodies our stories” will be held in room 205 of Gorgas Library.

“Fashion Rocks and So Does My Body” will be in the Ferguson Center Ballroom.

WHY: “As a registered dietitian, this week is always exciting to me because it is UA’s take on National Eating Disorders Awareness Week that is traditionally celebrated during the month of February,” Gregg said. “Working directly with the eating disorders population, this event provides rich and diverse programming that promotes positive body image and increases eating disorder awareness.”

To get a free Body Appreciation Week t-shirt, stop by the Body Appreciation Table on the first floor of the Ferguson Center near the Starbucks entrance.

They are encouraging everyone to stay updated by following @UA_BAW on Twitter, following @uabodyappreciationweek on Instagram and using the hashtag #UABodyPositive.