Sophomore Mikayla Smith does not like to think about body image. Instead, she said she likes to think about her legs because they help her walk.
Smith, along with the rest of her sisters at the Delta Delta chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon, have spent the week encouraging body activism in honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness week.
On Monday, the chapter encouraged its members to spend the day without makeup. Later in the week, it had a tabling event at the Indiana Memorial Union where students could write their insecurities down on paper and then throw them in the trash.
All these activities lead up to Thursday’s philanthropic event, where the chapter will be celebrating their first annual “BBQ for Body Positivity.” The night includes a candlelight vigil for anyone who has died from an eating disorder and anyone who is in recovery or still suffering from one.
Body activism differs from body positivity, Smith said, because everyone’s views of their bodies fall on a spectrum. Body positivity — loving your body — is the end goal, but most people are not at that point, she said.
“It’s about learning all the good things your body does for you other than what society says you should look like,” she said.
Instead, body activism encourages people to embrace what their body does for them, like how Smith appreciates her legs allowing her to walk, rather than what they look like.
Someone dies from an eating disorder every 62 minutes, according to the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy and Action.
Delta Phi Epsilon’s candlelight vigil Thursday will cap off their philanthropy and include personal stories from sisters and attendees who have had or have seen someone they know battle an eating disorder.
The event is raising money for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, a nonprofit providing resources such as a help hotline and support groups to those suffering from eating disorders nationwide.
The chapter changed its annual fashion show to a barbecue and candlelight vigil so it can use its new house at 818 E. Third St. in the philanthropy.
Although the women had already raised about $2,500 by Monday — more than they ever made at the fashion show last year — the chapter is more focused on spreading awareness than raising money, Smith said.
“Just knowing that eating disorders are a thing is important,” Smith said. “I still don’t think people understand how prevalent it is in society.”
Sophomore Mireya Felix, another member of Delta Phi Epsilon, said she did not know eating disorders existed when she was in high school. Now, she realizes how common they are, she said.
“Everyone knows someone who has suffered from an eating disorder,” Felix said. “And I feel like everyone has suffered with body image in some way or another.”
Chris Meno, psychologist and outreach coordinator at the health center’s Counseling and Psychological Services, said patients are often coming into the clinic with eating disorder concerns.
The Coalition for Overcoming Problem Eating and Exercise, which is part of CAPS, allows students to consult with health care providers to battle anything from compulsive exercising to body image disturbance, according to its website.
Meno said she and the other trained professionals, such as dietitians and counselors, treat patients with and without diagnosed eating disorders. And not all patients look the same, she said.
“We really miss understanding the problem if we only think about body weight,” she said.
If a student suspects they might be struggling with an eating disorder, Meno said they should talk to someone at COPE.
In addition to spreading awareness, Felix said she hopes the event — including the lighthearted barbecue and the somber candlelight vigil — will help attendees struggling with body issues feel a sense of community.
“It’s hard to love yourself sometimes,” she said. “But you’re not alone in that.”
