Holy Cross Hosts Sixth Annual Health Awareness Week

WORCESTER, Mass. – Peer Educators from the Nutrition, Exercise, and Eating Disorder Program (NEED) at the College of the Holy Cross have organized a health and body week to educate students on eating habits, eating disorder awareness, the media’s effects on body image, and fitness. The event titled “Love Your Body” runs from Feb. 11-15, and is free and open to the Holy Cross community. The events, dedicated to “celebrating real bodies and real beauty” include; assessing your nutrition, hearing the story of a 20-year battle against an eating disorder, and unwinding with yoga.

Throughout the week NEED Peer Educators will also be available in the Hogan Lobby to provide information daily to students regarding nutrition, exercise and eating disorders.

Monday, Feb. 11 – NUTRITION

10-4 p.m., Hogan Lobby Build Your Own Trail Mix Students are invited to hike up to Hogan and make their own trail mix.

10-4 p.m., Hogan Lobby Test your nutrition IQ Students are given the opportunity to assess their nutritional habits and get advice on how to improve their diets, while indulging in healthy and delicious snacks.

11:30-12:45 p.m., Kimball (Sponsored by Health Services) Have Lunch with a Nutritionist Knowing the challenge of eating healthy at school, students are invited to attend lunch with Lisa Van Deusen, a nutritionist from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and Holy Cross Health Services. As a group, participants will create a healthy lunch, and the nutritionist will answer any questions, ranging from portion sizes to how to eat well, in order to maintain a healthy diet.

Tuesday, February 12 – EATING DISORDER AWARENESS

10-2 p.m., Hogan Lobby Testimonials Participants will be given the opportunity to read testimonials from Holy Cross students who have suffered from an eating disorder, get information on how to help a friend, and take a self check survey to see if they may be experiencing issues with eating.

1-5 p.m., Hogan 207, Counseling Center Eating Disorders Screening Students who are concerned about their eating habits or someone else’s are welcome to stop by the counseling center. They will be given the opportunity to get screened and obtain more information or referrals.

7-8 p.m., Hogan Suite A A Story of Recovery As proven by Sue Lewandowski, people can recover from an eating disorder. Students are encouraged to attend her inspirational speech, as she tells the story of her 20-year struggle with an eating disorder. Sue is the facilitator of the only eating disorders support group in Worcester. Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, February 13 – REAL BEAUTY, REAL BODIES: CHALLENGING MEDIA IMAGES

10-2 p.m., Hogan Lobby Body Image in the Media At the NEED Peer Educators table, new video clips and information will be distributed on the impact of the media on body image. Students will be given advice on how to challenge the unrealistic images.

3:30-4:30 p.m., Hogan Suite C (Presented by the Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association) Mind over Media: Body Image and Self-Esteem in the Media Age This workshop explores the messages embedded in today's advertisements, and encourages students to use critical thinking skills when confronted with such images. Topics such as size discrimination, body acceptance, and healthy weight management will also be discussed.  Refreshments will be served.

Thursday, February 14 – MEN’S HEALTH

10-2 p.m., Hogan Lobby Raffle for Men’s Health and Fitness Stop by the table and sign up to win a free subscription to Men’s Health or Men’s Fitness. The raffle will be held at 2 p.m. Information will be handed out regarding men’s health and body image issues, as well as information on exercise.

Friday, February 15 - EXERCISE

10-1 p.m., Hogan Lobby Fitness and Endurance Assessment The NEED Peer Educators welcome students to come test their strength and cardiovascular ability, or to get advice on how to improve their fitness and healthy ways to exercise.

1:30-2:30 p.m., Hart Center Aerobics Room Kickboxing At this workshop, participants will engage in kickboxing, getting fit and having fun. The event will last for one hour and no experience is necessary.

4-5 p.m., Hogan 320 Yoga Need to unwind from the week? Come learn the basics and benefits of yoga with this free introductory class with Julie Dhara Roberts, owner and director of Flowforms Yoga in Worcester.  Please wear appropriate clothing.

12-1 p.m., Hogan Suite A (Co-sponsored by Health Services and the Counseling Center) Annual NEED Luncheon Come enjoy a great lunch and hear a talk titled “Experience, Hope, and Strength” by Kelly Scott from AdCare.  Come listen to Scott tell her inspiring story of how she overcame a binge eating disorder and went from over 300 pounds to a normal weight through changing her relationship with food and lifestyle changes. RSVP required; call 508-792-3363 by Feb. 11, space is limited.