Nutrition

S.H.A.P.E. (Students Helping to Achieve Positive Esteem)

SHAPE is a Peer Education Group devoted to a cause. We strive to prevent eating disorders on the UConn campus by fostering an awareness of eating disorders and disordered eating. SHAPE provides education about the associated health risks and promotes accepting attitudes toward body size.

To UConn, We Promise...

• To help in creating awareness about eating disorders on campus and within our communities
• To educate students, faculty and staff about the physical, mental and emotional risks of eating disorders
• To promote an accepting attitude towards body image, shape and size
• To organize campus awareness initiatives, programs and activities

S.H.A.P.E. Training 2009

Here are pictures from our semester training. We have training at the beginning of each semester with all the members. We take this time to go over eating disorders and body image information, as well as doing interactive activities to increase group camaraderie. SHAPE members also learn techniques for facilitating workshops and communication skills.

What We Offer

Peer Educators are leaders who present information to better their community.

Presentations We offer group presentations and workshops discussing body image, media influences and disordered eating. If you would like our members to come and present on eating disorders and the stresses that can lead to them, how to help a friend, the medical components of eating disorders, body image, self esteem, media and our bodies, or other associated topics, please contact us. We are more than happy to help.

Information Our service offers students a more personal and less authoritative outlet to ask questions and voice concerns. All of our peer educators are trained to handle the situations that might arise. Our presentations offer a more informal approach to very critical information, allowing students to concentrate on the meaning of the information and the consequences of the disorders discussed.

Peer Education There are over 30 peer education programs in existence at the University of Connecticut. The programs are each their own separate entity, yet united in the common goal of providing the opportunity for students to gain experience by reaching out to help their peers.

Leadership SHAPE offers students a great way to get involved around campus and to take on new leadership roles. Students learn effective public speaking, facilitation of discussions, how to handle sensitive topics, and how to effectively work in a group. To apply to become a SHAPE member please see our information sheet.

S.H.A.P.E Activities

• Presentations to classes and residence halls on eating disorders and the stresses that can lead to them, how to help a friend, the medical components of eating disorders, body image, self esteem, media and our bodies, or other associated topics.
• Create presentations to give to the younger population at nearby high, middle and elementary schools and girl scout troops
• Active Participants in:
  • Eating Disorders Awareness Week
  • UCONN Health Fair
  • Month of Kindness (November)
  • Love Your Body Day
  • Body Pride Fair
  • Taste the Rainbow
  • Fitness and Nutrition Fair
  • Spring into Wellness Fair
• Hold an annual art exhibit with artwork depicting how the media portrays body image.

S.H.A.P.E. Yearly Events

• The UConn Student Health Services Health Fair is an event that is held every fall semester, where various health focused groups provide information for the UConn students. Here are some pictures of past Health Fairs. One year at the Health Fair, SHAPE showed what Barbie and GI Joe would look like if they were real. Did you know that Barbie would have to be 7 feet 7 inches tall just to have a 24 inch waist! Check it out.
• National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) occurs annually in February. SHAPE uses this time to increase awareness around campus displaying educational information at various events. Here are some pictures from past NEDAW events in February.
• Peer Education Involvement Fair is an event held at the beginning of the year used to raise awareness of peer education groups and recruit new members.
• SHAPE holds an annual art exhibit in March.

Our Story

SHAPE was started by Student Health Services (SHS). It is a program run from the Nutrition department that is dedicated to creating awareness about eating disorders, educating students, faculty and staff about the physical, mental and emotional risks of eating disorders, and promoting an accepting attitude towards body shape and size.

It involves a group of very dedicated students who work hard as peer educators to help the community around them. They receive specific training in order to handle students' situations and needs regarding help, information and counseling.