URI to celebrate natural body types

KINGSTON, R.I. -- February 11, 2000 -- The University of Rhode Island will host its third annual "Seeking a Balance: Celebration of Natural Body Types" from Monday, February 28 through Thursday, March 2 on the Kingston Campus. All events are free and open to the public. (See accompanying schedule for details.)

A series of displays and programs is designed to encourage acceptance of normal body shapes and sizes as an antidote to the pressures toward thinness that is fueling the current epidemic of eating disorders in U.S. society, according to Grace Frenzel, University psychologist and an organizer of the event.

"Although we do address the occurrence of eating disorders in some of the series' events, such as the Eating Disorders Screening Program, the predominant emphasis is on helping people to feel good about the bodies they have and to take good care of them through healthy eating and appropriate exercise," said Frenzel.

A highlight of the program will be "A Fashion Show for All Sizes," a student-produced show demonstrating how people can look good with any body type. Julieann Costa of Newport, a URI senior, is organizing the show under the supervision of Professor Yvette Harps-Logan of URI's Textiles Department.

The program is sponsored by a number of URI campus offices and organizations, including the Counseling Center; Health Services Health Education; Dining Services; the Athletics Department; the Panhellenic Council; and Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

For additional information, contact URI's Counseling Center, 874-2288.

Seeking a Balance: A Celebration of Natural Body Types
Monday, February 28 - Thursday, March 2, 2000
All events are in URI's Memorial Union unless otherwise indicated.

Every Day

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: What Is Beauty? A visual celebration of the female body across time and cultures. Location: Exhibit in the Gallery.
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Booths near the Memorial Union's main entrance. Displays, handouts, and knowledgeable staff addressing the following topics:
Weigh Your Self Esteem. For a pleasant surprise, check out this set of scales! Healthy Eating and The Body at Risk: Physical Consequences of Inappropriate Weight Loss Behaviors. Informative posters.
Healthy Eating: Balancing Your Diet. On basic nutrition.
Eating on the Run. Are you making time for nutrition?
Diets and Diet Products: Do They Really Work? To help you differentiate hype from reality.
How to Help Someone Who Has an Eating Problem. Handouts. Fighting Back. Sign a letter to push the media toward more responsible advertising.

Monday, February 28

Noon to 1 p.m. Fuel and Fluids to Enhance Your Performance. For athletes of all kinds. Presenters: Joy Brew, associate athletic trainer, Athletics; social worker Stephanie Milbrad,; Susan Ash, nutrition specialist, Health Services/Dining Services. Location: Mackal Conference Room, Second Floor. Sports Athletics Department Panhellenic Council.
Noon to 1 p.m. How to Recognize and Help Someone with an Eating Problem. Presenters: Jim Hardiman, medical director, Health Services; Grace Frenzel, University psychologist, Counseling Center. Location: The Gallery.
4 to 5. Fad Diets and Diet Products-Do They Really Work? Sort out fact from fiction. Presenters: Susan Ash, MS, RD, LDN, Nutrition Specialist, Health Services/Dining Services; Kelly Valente, doctoral student in Pharmacy; Mara Sansevero; Melissa Buczek; Jessica Brown. Location: The Gallery.
7 to 8. How to Recognize and Help Someone with an Eating Problem. Presenters:
Jim Hardiman, medical director, Health Services; Grace Frenzel, University psychologist, Counseling Center. Location: Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, 2783 Kingston Road.

Tuesday, February 29

11:15 a.m. to 12:15: A Fashion Show for All Sizes. "Looking Good" can be for everyone. Tips for all body types! Location: The Memorial Union Ballroom.
Noon to 1 p.m. Emotional Eating. Why people eat for reasons other than hunger. Presenter: Susan Ash, nutrition specialist, Health Services/Dining Services. Location: Lower Level Conference Room, Health Services.

Wednesday, March 1

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eating Disorders Screening Program. Confidential, individual screening to evaluate for the presence of eating problems; materials on eating disorders will also be available. Location: Room 318.
Noon to 1 p.m. A Fashion Show for All Sizes. "Looking Good" can be for everyone; Tips for all body types! Location: The Memorial Union Ballroom.
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Exercising on the Run. How to be more physically active when you can't go to a gym. Presenter: Jay Souza, coordinator of Fitness/Wellness Programs, Recreation. Location: Room 308.

Thursday, March 2

Noon to 1 p.m. You're More Than Just a Body: Easy Techniques for Connecting with Your Inner Self. Presenters: Celina Pereira, MD, Health Services; Laurie Johnson, nurse health educator, Health Education. Location: Room 318.

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For information, Jan Sawyer, 401-874-2116