“A lot of times, how you see your body and how the world sees your body are at odds,” said Weiner, who’s known for her advice columns and has appeared on “The Today Show.”

“My hope tonight is that students who are struggling with body image or know someone who is can get the information and inspiration to make some changes,” she said.

Weiner, who made her first trip to campus in more than a decade, said she emphasizes the cultural and emotional aspects of body image.

“I think that eating disorders and body image are emotional issues,” Weiner said. “I want to paint a picture of what it would look like if we just stopped judging based on image.”

Students like Ashley Luke, an advertising senior, said the event would help them confront peers struggling with appearance issues. Luke said she knows someone struggling with issues of body image.

“I want to learn just how to reach out to them and help them take care of the problem and seek help,” she said.

Weiner said although body image is more closely associated with women, it’s an issue that also affects men.

“It’s incredibly important that we look at this as a human-being issue and not a gender issue,” said Weiner. “I don’t think men get off easy on this topic either.”

Ronda Bokram, a nutritionist and member of the health education team at Olin Health Center, said body image is an issue on campus. A campus survey conducted in 2000 found that 2 percent of males and 5 percent of females have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Bokram said she advises students to seek help if they seem to be struggling with body image issues.

“It’s easier to look at something concrete than something emotional,” Bokram said. “(Students should realize) they can be what they want to be.”