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CORVALLIS - Healthful eating and the links between food and self-esteem are among the topics up for exploration during Oregon State University's Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 22-26.

More than a dozen presentations, workshops and talks are planned and all are free and open to the public. For more information, contact OSU Student Health Services at 541-737-2775.

"Eating disorders continue to be rampant among young women," said Mariette Brouwers, a counselor with OSU's University Counseling and Psychological Services. "One alarming new trend is that the incidence of eating disorders is spreading to other groups of people in whom eating disorders used to be rare.

"These groups include men, people of color, other countries, older women and young children," she added.

"Unfortunately, students who are suffering from eating disorders describe their lives as being destroyed because of the all-consuming focus on their bodies," said Janet Beary, a registered dietitian with OSU Student Health Services. "It is a sad situation when these young adults who have bright futures ahead of them can't get past the unrealistic expectation that a perfect body will bring them happiness as the media portrayed. If only students could believe that it's what inside that counts."

Brouwers said eating disorders affect almost every aspect of a person's life.

"The good news is that eating disorders can be successfully treated if the person gets help early on," she said. "The longer someone waits to get help, the more difficult the recovery."

Among scheduled events will be an information booth staffed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily in the OSU Memorial Union, just east of the MU Commons. There will also be an eating disorders book display in the OSU Bookstore. On Friday, Feb. 26, the campus will join in "Celebrating Everybody," from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the MU Lounge, featuring a variety of entertainment and refreshments.

Other activities include:

Monday, Feb. 22

• Noon

  "An Overview of Eating Disorders: What, Why and Consequences," presented by Rebecca DeGraaf, a psychologist with University Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. LaDonna Johnson, of Student Health Services and Mauriette Brouwers. MU Room 208.

   

• 3 p.m.

  "Puppet Strings & Mirror, Mirror," a one-hour video presentation. OSU Women's Center.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

• Noon

   

  "Selling Beauty, Starving Body: Ethics and Eating Disorders," an hour-long presentation by Courtney Campbell, OSU associate professor of philosophy. MU Council Room.

   

• Noon

  "Slim Hopes and Waist Land: Eating Disorders," a 60-minute video presentation. Women's Center.

   

• 4 p.m.

  "The Body Shop," a 60-minute presentation by Mark Wagener, psychologist with University Counseling and Psychological Services; Janet Beary; Belton Lupas, fitness instructor and weight trainer; David Visiko, OSU health educator. Dixon Recreation Center Room 126.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

• Noon

  "Undieting Your Way to Happiness," Janet Beary, MU Room 208.

   

• 1 p.m.

  "IMAGE," a two-hour art gallery display. MU Room105.

   

• 3 p.m.

  "Through the Looking Glass: An Interactive Body Image Workshop," a two-hour presentation by Mariette Brouwers. MU Room 105.

   

• 7 p.m.

  "Feel Wonderful Body Management," a 90-minute video program presented by Catherine Cudo, of Corvallis' Feel WonderFull Fitness health club. Dixon Room 126.

Thursday, Feb. 25

• 3 p.m.

  "Help for Friends and Family of People With an Eating Disorder," a 60-minute presentation by Georgine Thompson, social worker, and Sandy Tsuneyoshi, assistant director for clinical services, both of University Counseling and Psychological Services. MU Room 206.