Spring Break
Week of workshops examine, 'shatter' body image issues
Samie Hartley
Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: News
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"Shattering the Images of Perfection," a series of workshops and seminars in recognition of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, is meant to educate San Jose State University students about redefining body image, said Jennifer Waldrop, campus dietitian.
"We know from doing surveys on campus that there is a trend that college students are becoming more dissatisfied with their body images," Waldrop said. "Body image is something that can be modified, and this series will educate students about how to improve their body images."
Waldrop said if people have poor body images, distorted views of their physical attributes, they might turn to destructive behavior such as crash dieting and adopt unhealthy eating habits. She said the media plays a large role in the trend of college students disliking their bodies.
She said to shed light on this trend, there will be an event each day through Thursday, beginning today with the "I Am Beautiful" seminar, to help students recognize the destructive messages the media is feeding them about what the perfect body looks like.
Robert Johnson, a sophomore majoring in communications, said he doesn't understand why people become obsessed with their own body images.
"I think people place too much emphasis on it," Johnson said. "They over prioritize their body image."
Johnson said National Eating Disorder Week should be recognized on campus though, because people need to be educated about the risks of becoming influenced by unrealistic body images.
"I don't think people who have a disorder know they are sick," Johnson said. "A series like this will bring the issues to life, and even if you don't have a disorder, you can learn to recognize the signs and help a friend who might be sick."
Annalyn Cruz, activities coordinator for the Mosaic Cross Cultural Center and host of Tuesday's "Images Corrupted" workshop, said students need to be aware of how the media shapes body image.
"I think there needs to be a greater awareness of these issues," Cruz said. "Billions of dollars are being spent to create these unrealistic images. We need to be conscious of these images and question them."
"We know from doing surveys on campus that there is a trend that college students are becoming more dissatisfied with their body images," Waldrop said. "Body image is something that can be modified, and this series will educate students about how to improve their body images."
Waldrop said if people have poor body images, distorted views of their physical attributes, they might turn to destructive behavior such as crash dieting and adopt unhealthy eating habits. She said the media plays a large role in the trend of college students disliking their bodies.
She said to shed light on this trend, there will be an event each day through Thursday, beginning today with the "I Am Beautiful" seminar, to help students recognize the destructive messages the media is feeding them about what the perfect body looks like.
Robert Johnson, a sophomore majoring in communications, said he doesn't understand why people become obsessed with their own body images.
"I think people place too much emphasis on it," Johnson said. "They over prioritize their body image."
Johnson said National Eating Disorder Week should be recognized on campus though, because people need to be educated about the risks of becoming influenced by unrealistic body images.
"I don't think people who have a disorder know they are sick," Johnson said. "A series like this will bring the issues to life, and even if you don't have a disorder, you can learn to recognize the signs and help a friend who might be sick."
Annalyn Cruz, activities coordinator for the Mosaic Cross Cultural Center and host of Tuesday's "Images Corrupted" workshop, said students need to be aware of how the media shapes body image.
"I think there needs to be a greater awareness of these issues," Cruz said. "Billions of dollars are being spent to create these unrealistic images. We need to be conscious of these images and question them."
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