UK celebrates Body EmPOWERment Week
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2024) – The University of Kentucky is celebrating Body EmPOWERment Week Oct. 21-25. The week, hosted by Prevention, Outreach and Wellness Education Resources (POWER) housed in the Office for Student Success, is dedicated to encouraging body empowerment regardless of size, shape, color or ability.
“Weight stigma is linked to an increased risk of mental health conditions and substance abuse. We also know that those who are living with disabilities, victims of violence and even social norms in media and in our families play a role in our relationship with our bodies,” said Meghan Wolf, a student wellness coordinator for POWER. “While students can connect with health and wellness coaching through POWER to focus on intuitive eating and body image, as well as nondiet focused dietitian services through the Counseling Center, this week is aimed at showing students that our campus partners are also supporting the mission for inclusive resources and recognizing how body image shows up and can have an impact in many facets. We want students to know that we are here and encourage healthy relationships with food, movement and body image without stigmatizing rules and restrictions.”
Events for the week include:
- Monday, Oct. 21:
- Anti Diet Riot | Gatton Student Center Ballroom | 4-6 p.m.
- Join POWER for the Anti-Diet Riot, aimed at challenging diet culture and highlighting body respect, hunger cues and more Intuitive Eating principles. This event will include interactive activities including a DIY snack bar, a chance to take the anti-diet pledge and bubble house.
- Anti Diet Riot | Gatton Student Center Ballroom | 4-6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22
- Body Empowerment Chalk Way | Gatton Student Center Botanical Gardens | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Chalk the walkway with supportive and motivating phrases to encourage your fellow wildcats during Body Empowerment week
- Body Empowerment Tabling | GSC Social Staircase | 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
- Drop by the student center to take part in an interactive display highlighting body statements. Students will interact with the display showcasing mutual feelings.
- GYT and HIV Testing | various times | various days
- Show your body respect by getting yourself tested! Free walk-in chlamydia and HIV screenings are available in addition to free sexual health resources.
- Intuitive Eating Cooking Class | The Food Connection | 5-6 p.m.
- Join POWER for a hands-on cooking class highlighting intuitive eating.
- Body Empowerment Chalk Way | Gatton Student Center Botanical Gardens | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 23
- All Bodies are Good Bodies | virtual | 11 a.m. – noon
- This program aims to spread body positivity and awareness by breaking down what is “normal.” POWER will discuss social stigma and expectations vs. what is real to encourage everyone to understand their own bodies.
- Let’s Body Talk | William T. Young Library Keeneland Room | 1-3 p.m.
- The UK Counseling Center is hosting a special Let’s Talk session focused on body image and the challenges of living in our body. This is a drop-in event for anyone wanting a brief one-on-one conversation with one of our mental health clinicians. No appointment needed.
- Every Body Glow: Hip Hop Yoga | Johnson Center | 8:30-9:30 p.m.
- A movement class for every body! This class will be a glow in the dark themed hip hop yoga class and the first 100 will receive a free yoga mat.
- All Bodies are Good Bodies | virtual | 11 a.m. – noon
- Thursday, Oct. 24
- Scale Smash | Alumni Commons Walkway | 1-3 p.m.
- Decorate and smash scales to bring awareness to the dangers of diet culture while celebrating the diversity, respect and acceptance of all bodies during Body EmPOWERment Week!
- Scale Smash | Alumni Commons Walkway | 1-3 p.m.
Partnering with the week is the LGBTQ* Resource Center, UK Counseling Center, UK Dining, UK Food Connection, UK Invests, UK Panhellenic, Violence Intervention and Prevention Center, UK Sexperts, University Health Service, Campus Recreation, Disability Resource Center, CARES First and the Human Development Institute.
“There are so many amazing resources on this campus that are staffed by individuals who truly care,” said Wolf. “We find that it is really important for students to not only know about the services but understand how they connect to take care of all aspects of their well-being.”
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.