This fall, the sisters of the Delta Gamma sorority are involved in a pioneering program meant to combat the unhealthy behavior that leads to eating disorders.
The program, called Reflections: Body Image Project, was piloted by Dr. Carolyn Becker with the help of local sororities at Trinity University in Texas in 2001. Now, seven years later, it is a nationwide initiative with the support of national sorority Tri Delta, according to the program’s Web site.
The program consists of a series of small group sessions led by peer leaders in which participants discuss issues of body image, eating habits, and the societal pressure to be thin at the expense of health.
Members of the sorority are excited to be part of the program, said University junior Ashley Aquino, a participant in the sessions.
“The overall enthusiasm throughout the sorority drew me to the program, and it turned out to be a success. It was great to be part of something that addresses such an important issue,” Aquino said.
The program was piloted by Dr. Carolyn Becker with the help of local sororities at Trinity University in Texas in 2001. Now, nine years later, it is a nationwide initiative with the support of national sorority Tri Delta, according to the program’s Web site.
“It has spread so quickly because it really works,” said Rebecca Greif, a University graduate student in clinical psychology.
Delta Gamma sisters who volunteered to be a part of the program will also participate in the research. They will be surveyed before taking part in the program, and then afterwards at five, 12, and 17-month intervals, Greif said.
Fifteen Delta Gamma sisters and several graduate student assistants completed three days of peer leader training under Dr. Becker and then those peer leaders then conducted sessions for 71 of their sorority sisters, Greif said.
The sessions, held on Oct. 11, allowed the women to discuss the differences between a thin ideal and a realistic, healthy one. They participated in activities meant to create positive body images and to recognize and end to “Fat Talk.”
“This is an issue that affects everyone, but until now there hasn’t really been a forum to talk about it,” said Greif. “This program really is the first of its kind.”
In addition to raising awareness about “Fat Talk” and the thin ideal, the program also helped strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones.
“The session really broke down our personal boundaries. Even though the sorority is very close, it’s not every day that we talk about such personal issues,” said Aquino. “In addition to strengthening bonds, it was a great way to welcome our new members and get to know them better.”
Greif said Becker and other program organizers chose to work with sororities because they were already established as strong social organizations.
The implementation of the program coincides with the first annual Fat Talk Free Week, sponsored by Reflections: Body Image Program, The National Organization for Women, Seventeen Magazine, The Academy of Eating Disorders and The National Eating Disorder Association.
“If you behave in a way that challenges the thin ideal, you will internalize that message and begin to think in a way that challenges it as well,” she said. “Women who participated in the program were shown to be less likely to internalize the thin ideal or suffer from body dissatisfaction, eating pathologies or excessive dietary restraint.”
The danger of focusing on weight is that it may lead to excessive dieting, binging, purging and other unhealthy behaviors. The program, she said, is a way for women to recognize and resist the influence of the thin ideal.
“This is something that 99 percent of the female population cannot achieve,” Greif said. “The goal, instead of an unrealistic weight, should be health.”
Annual initiative promotes healthy behaviors
Published: Thursday, October 16, 2008
Updated: Thursday, October 16, 2008
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