Americans are eating less and striving to lose weight because it’s considered more beautiful. This attitude can lead to eating disorders, Bokram said.

Olin’s activities will open forums for students to discuss body image and eating disorders, and also will help students connect with help resources available on campus, Bokram said.

She said college, like any serious life transition, makes some students more prone to eating disorders.

“When you look at the causes for eating disorders, there are so many,” said Bokram. “It’s not so much about losing weight as coping with other issues. It’s a way of saying something without having to use words.”

The week’s activities are being sponsored by Olin and student group Respecting and Understanding Body Image, or RUBI.

Events kicked off Monday with a showing and discussion of Darryl Roberts’ America the Beautiful. Tuesday’s event, “Take Back Your Body,” provided a safe space for participants to write letters to their body that will be anonymously read by other students, said Stephanie Zguris, a nutritional science senior and Olin Health Center advocate. The event was held in Wonders Hall Kiva.

“I’m really excited about being involved,” Zguris said. “(Body image) is such a big issue in our society. I enjoy listening to people’s stories and what they’ve been through. I have a lot of close friends that have dealt with body issues, and it’s really inspirational to me to see what they’ve overcome.”

RUBI members will pass out more than 10,000 Twix candy bars throughout campus Wednesday as a part of “Wednesday without Worry,” Zgruis said.

“The whole idea is that people talk about good and bad food,” Bokram said. “It’s not about food — it’s about our relationship with food. You can learn to live with all foods. We just give out candy bars to say ‘enjoy food and celebrate yourself.’”

Chemical engineering freshman Zach Campbell experienced a friend’s struggle with anorexia firsthand.

“We all could see it on her face,” Campbell said. “Her cousins would joke when she was younger and call her fat. It was an ongoing thing, and over time, she just stopped eating. She thought she was doing something good, but didn’t see the damage to her body.”

Bokram said it is important that students know about the resources available on campus.

“We want to help reach out to people so that they know their resources and to let them know they’re not alone,” Bokram said. “We want to give students an opportunity to think about things in a different way. Every time we buy a beauty magazine, what are we really supporting?”

Students will have the chance Thursday to participate in “Trash Talk Thursday — No More!” by engaging in positive group discussion about weight, eating and body image from 4-7 p.m., at The Gallery in Snyder-Phillips Hall, Bokram said.

Zguris said it’s important for MSU students to realize that body image issues affect everyone.

“When many people think of eating disorders and body image, they think of anorexic girls,” Zguris said. “When a guy looks at a magazine, there is a perfect male body. It puts pressures on guys the same as girls to be perfect and have a stereotypical body.”

MSU students looking for help with eating disorders can contact Olin Health Center or the MSU Counseling Center, Bokram said.

“I know how hard it is,” said Campbell. “I know how (students) feel like they have to be a certain size. They don’t. You are perfect the way you are.”