As a family, we met with the CEO of NEDA to discuss something called ‘The Body Project.’ The Body Project is an initiative aiming to educate teachers and administrators on the most loving and effective ways to teach kids about eating disorders and mental health. This was always very important to our Grace. She often voiced her concern on the lack of education and support in schools and wanted to effect change on a greater scale. Every dollar raised in Grace’s name will go directly to the Body Project. Our family is committed to raising awareness and living with Fierce Grace every day.
WHAT IS THE BODY PROJECT?
Backed by two decades of research and evaluation data, the Body Project is a group-based intervention that provides a forum for women and girls to confront unrealistic beauty ideals and engages them in the development of healthy body image through verbal, written, and behavioral exercises. The Body Project was developed by researchers at Stanford University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Oregon Research Institute, and has been delivered to over one million young women around the world.
The conceptual basis for the Body Project is that if girls and young women voluntarily argue against the societal appearance-ideal, this will result in a reduced subscription to this ideal and to consequent decreases in eating disorder risk factors and eating disordered behaviors.
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE BODY PROJECT?
1. Define the “appearance” ideal and explore its origin
2. Examine the costs of pursuing this ideal
3. Explore ways to resist pressures to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty
4. Discuss how to challenge personal body-related concerns
5. Learn new ways to talk more positively about our bodies
6. Talk about how we can best respond to future pressures to conform to societal standards of beauty