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The Body Project

The Body Project logo

Student Counseling Services, in collaboration with Health Promotion and Wellness and the Department of Psychology, offers 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.

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

2023-2024 Body Project Facilitators

Body Project Facilitators

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@IllinoisState.edu or Jim Almeda, Health Promotion and Wellness, at jralmed@IllinoisState.edu.

Body Project