AIS Students Take Part in “Love Your Body” Month

by Lori Jordan, Faculty Advisor of EDIN and Upper School Counselor

Did you know that February was “Love Your Body” month? Students in grades 6 to 12 were able to participate in Atlanta International School’s “Love Your Body” week activities from February 11 to February 15. The events were planned and hosted by our AIS chapter of the Eating Disorders Information Network (EDIN). These February events were part of a larger effort of “Love Your Body” month sponsored by the Atlanta-based non-profit organization, EDIN.

At AIS, EDIN is a student-run CAS group that works with peers to raise awareness and promote healthy eating habits, positive body image and defining beauty through fun, interactive on-campus activities. Throughout the week, students were challenged on their ideas of body image and what beauty actually means. On Mirror-less Monday, all bathroom mirrors were covered with posters promoting positive messages, and students were encouraged to think about beauty outside the confines of a traditional mirror. Then again on Truthful Tuesday, a life-size Barbie was on display in the front lobby with facts about one of the world’s most popular selling dolls. Did you know that if Barbie was made into an actual woman she would be 5’9” tall, weigh 110 pounds, have a 39” bust, an 18” waist, 33” hips and a size 3 shoe? Does that sound realistic to you?

EDIN was happy to host two new events this year. Our beginning belly dance workshop was an exciting introduction to the ancient art of belly dance. Taught by a professional dancer, students learned the basic movements of belly dancing, a dance that is based on respect for the female body. Another new event for AIS was a special topics seminar on “Power Over Media,” hosted by an area nutritionist, Page Love, and Georgia State University Ph.D. student, Debbie Demare. Students learned more about the misconceptions supported by cover models and ad campaigns and most importantly, how to be smart viewers of the media. Students also learned how to use writing skills to speak out against unhealthy food companies and media messages.

The “Love Your Body” week activities culminated with the annual Merrick’s Walk on February 24 at Chastain Park, a philanthropic walk in memory of Merrick Ryan, a Galloway School alumna who lost her battle with anorexia at the age of 19. AIS students joined 200 walkers/runners for the event and contributed their time and effort to raise awareness of this sensitive and important issue among today’s young people. Some comments from our students include: “Love Your Body week is a really good program that helps high school and middle school students come to terms with the prevalent problems of eating disorders,” said Joanna Palmer, Grade 10. Ariana Fabian added that “Love Your Body” week is a “great way for students to appreciate their bodies and respect the appearance of others.” Our EDIN student leader, Emmaline Campbell, commented that “Love Your Body week was a terrific success. We had our largest team ever attending Merrick’s Walk and we hosted two exciting new events. We appreciate all of the participation within the AIS community.”

Our EDIN members were recently commended by the Executive Director of EDIN, Marissa Goodwin, for their involvement and action at the school and community level and were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for their work. Special thanks and congratulations to the EDIN members who put together such a memorable week! For more information on EDIN, please visit www.edin-ga.org.

AIS Students at the EDIN Belly Dance Workshop

Students on Mirror-less Monday

EDIN's Mirror-less Monday

AIS students at Merrick's Walk