National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week started Monday, and ISU will have various activities around campus to promote the new “Be-You[tiful]” campaign throughout the week.

It is a supportive program to fight against negative messages regarding body image dissatisfaction and realize the unrealistic images presented in the media, Jenni Thome, counselor from Student Counseling Services, explained.

The next event will be a photo shoot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, which will take place in the Bone Student Center. Students will have the opportunity to take pictures in photo booths for free.

The Be-You[tiful] Fitness Class will also be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Rec Center on the sports courts. Betsy Hood is collaborating with Student Counseling Services to coordinate this Zumba class.

“During the event, some of the workers will read off facts about eating disorders to make people aware that it is a problem and that people are still struggling with it,” Hood explained. 

“It is not just a class to work out but also a class to promote awareness,” she added.     

Thursday’s activities will take place in the residence halls. The RAs will each be designing a Be-You[tiful] bulletin board for a contest to help encourage body and self-acceptance. The boards will be judged, and awards will be given.

Finally on Friday, Watterson Dining Center will be giving out prizes and have posters and displays in support of improving students’ opinions of their body image. This will occur from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Additionally, the documentary “American the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments” will be played at 6 p.m. on March 6 in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center for no charge.

Every coffee shop on campus will have encouraging comments about body image written on the coffee sleeves in honor of NEDA week.

“The goal of the week is to help people improve their body image and self esteem … Tell them to not necessarily take the images they hear in the media as realistic and accept themselves,” Thome said.