The Body Project
Student Counseling Services, in collaboration with Health Promotion and Wellness and the Department of Psychology, is offering ISU students the opportunity to engage in the Body Project, a program developed to help establish and maintain a positive body image. Using a variety of fun and engaging media literacy and self-awareness exercises, activities and discussions teach participants to embrace the healthy ideal and their own body image, counter fat-talk in their daily life, promote Body Activism, and embrace non-appearance related characteristics in themselves and in others.
The Body Project is intended for female-identified students, and/or anyone influenced by the ultra-thin-yet-curvy cultural appearance ideal. It is the first scientifically supported eating disorder prevention program, though the main focus of the workshop is on body image. Over 80% of college-age women feel pressured to be a certain weight. Exposure to an unrealistic, ultra-thin ideal through the media can have a devastating effect on self-esteem and the body image of yourself and others. The Body Project is effective in challenging students' perspectives on the ultra-thin ideal and creating a more positive image of themselves.
These trainings are separated into two workshops that last for two hours each.
To sign up as a Participant, request the program for your group, or apply to be a Peer Facilitator, see the links on this page. Questions? Please contact Dr. Jeffrey Grimes, Body Image and Eating Disorder Outreach Coordinator, at jlgrim1@ilstu.edu or Jim Almeda, Health Promotion & Wellness, at jralmed@ilstu.edu.
2022-2023 Body Project Facilitators
Please note that requests for the Body Project or Body Project: More Than Muscles will not be accepted during Summer and Winter Break. The programs run during the Fall and Spring semesters only. Additionally, individuals with a history of an eating disorder should wait at least two years post recovery to participate in the program
Body Project
Facilitator Applications
Peer Facilitator Training Application For Fall 2023
Body Project Group Application 2023-2024
General Implementations for Fall 2023
BP 1: Thursday October 12th and 19th from 6-8 pm
BP 2: Wednesday October 25th and November 1st from 5-7pm
BP 3: Thursday November 9th and 16th from 6-8pm