Southeast Missouri State University hosts Eating Disorders Awareness Week | Events

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) – Southeast Missouri State University will observe Eating Disorders Awareness Week with a series of special speakers, programs and activities Feb. 25 through March 2.

Kicking off the week Feb. 25 will be Travis Stewart, a therapist from McCallum Place Eating Disorders Treatment Center in St. Louis, who will discuss the prevention, intervention and treatment of eating disorders (both inpatient and outpatient). His presentation, titled "Eating Disorders: Ask the Expert” is planned for 5-6 p.m. in Glenn Auditorium of Dempster Hall. A question and answer session will follow.

On Feb. 26, several individuals who have overcome Eating Disorders, recovered and learned how to cope will speak as part of an "Eating Disorders Recovery Panel.” This session is planned for 6-7 p.m. in Glenn Auditorium of Dempster Hall. Torie Grogan, a counselor from University Counseling and Disability Services with expertise in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders also will be on hand to facilitate discussion and answer questions.

A documentary titled "The Brain and Food: Secrets of Your Mind” will be shown from noon to 1:15 p.m. Feb. 27 in Glenn Auditorium of Dempster Hall. This powerful documentary explores the links between disordered eating, body image and the brain. Dr. Shawn Guiling, a faculty member in the Department of Psychology with expertise in body image, will be present to facilitate discussion and answer questions at the end of the video.

Three back-to-back presentations are scheduled for Feb. 28 in Crisp Hall Room 125. The increasing prevalence of eating disorders in general and specifically related to men will be the topic from 5 to 5:50 p.m. Warren Skinner, Lindsey Johnston and Mary Ann Farmer, mental health counseling graduate students, will lead a presentation titled "Guys have Eating Disorders too!” Immediately following, Southeast dietetic students will present a skit on how to recognize and strive for normal eating from 6-6:50 p.m. Capping the evening will be a discussion titled "Body Image: It's Time to Talk about It” scheduled for 7-7:50 p.m. Grogan will discuss how body image becomes distorted and how to improve it.

A 5K Walk/Run to support National Eating Disorder Awareness is scheduled for Saturday, March 2. Registration is scheduled for 9 a.m. in Arena Park Pavilion #1. The walk/run begins at 10 a.m. For more information visit http://www.runnersworld.com/race/1938656.

Throughout the week, free and anonymous eating disorders screenings are available from University Counseling Services staff and volunteers to determine whether individuals might be at risk for developing an eating disorder. The screenings will be available 30 minutes before and after each event. The screenings also will be available in the atrium lobby and the conference room of the Student Recreation Center-North from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25.

For more information on Eating Disorders Awareness Week, contact Dr. Jeremy Barnes at jbarnes@semo.edu or 573-651-2782.

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