Late-night hours, eating binges and erratic schedules don't exactly make college the healthiest time for many young people.
And while University gyms generally are busy, and runners frequent the streets at all times of the day (and night), a little bit of body awareness never hurts anybody.
For those looking for that extra bit of knowledge, the search ends now -- an entire week of body awareness is ongoing at the University.
Entitled "Celebrate Every Body Week," the event is sponsored by the Peer Health Educators program.
Tonight will feature the culminating event of the week, with a presentation by 'Hoos Out Preventing Eating Disorders in Rouss 202 at 7 p.m.
Third-year College student Megan McDade, special events intern for the program, said the presentation concludes a series of events this week aimed at educating everyone about their body health.
Other events of the week included free cooking classes on Monday and a panel discussion last night that featured a medical doctor, a nutritionist and eating disorder survivors.
According to McDade, this week is new at the University.
Traditionally, the program has sponsored an eating disorder awareness week that coincides with the nationally recognized week, she said. This year's events, however, strive for a broader theme and outreach.
"We're trying to bring other issues about body awareness in, not just eating disorders," McDade said. "We're making a more positive spin on an event that is solemn."
Part of broadening the event's criteria is making the week appealing to both males and females, McDade said.
"It's not just a female issue," she said. "We're hoping both males and females will take away information from it."
The initial appeal for having such an event at the University was to clarify and discuss issues of body image, McDade added.
"Eating disorders and negative body image in general is something that is unfortunately very pervasive here at U.Va.," she said.
McDade said she hopes to influence these negative views by making "Celebrate Every Body Week" an annual event.
"I'd really like to see this week happen every year," McDade said. "I'd like for it grow bigger and reach a broader audience each year."
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