Eating Disorders: Strategies for Health and Wellness

Description

Concept by Ivana Kvasina

In contemporary society, social networks significantly influence young people’s perceptions of themselves and their bodies, often contributing to distorted body images and the spread of unrealistic beauty standards.

Consequently, eating disorders and related psychological issues such as anxiety and depression have become increasingly prevalent among youth.

Recognizing the urgent need for prevention and education, this course centers on two crucial topics: promoting body positivity and addressing eating disorders.

Participants will delve into the importance of cultivating a positive body image, understanding healthy nutrition, and debunking prevalent myths perpetuated by social media.

Additionally, the course will explore sustainable eating practices and shed light on the role of genetics in shaping body composition.

Through accurate scientific information and practical examples, participants will be equipped to engage in meaningful discussions with students about these critical issues.

By incorporating these topics into physical education methods, educators can effectively reach and empower students to foster healthier relationships with their bodies and food.

Let’s enrich the physical education curriculum with content that promotes body positivity and equips students with the tools to navigate societal pressures in a healthy and resilient manner.

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants to:  

• Learn about body positivity and eating disorders;
• Get to know fitness methods popular in the world of fitness;
• Understand what the students are interested in and find a way to approach them;
• Learn more about sustainable nutrition;
• Get ideas on how to make healthy, simple, and tasty meals;
• Be confident in approaching students with sensitive topics.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to the course

• Introduction to the course, introduction of teacher and participants;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Identification of the needs and goals of each participant;
• Discussion about students and problems that bother them (various topics from the teachers’ own experiences).

Day 2 – How to approach the student?

• Discussing topics that “trouble” today’s youth – physical look, idealization on social media, improper view of healthy nutrition;
• Learning how to approach students with sensitive topics (listed above);
• Sharing knowledge about eating disorders.

Day 3 – Sustainable nutrition

• Learning about sustainable ways of eating;
• Preparing healthy, simple, and tasty meals;
• Learning about: the basics of nutrition, genetic factors, fat loss, and body shaping, including the concept of body positivity.

Day 4 – Body shaping

• Learning about modern methods and ways of working in fitness;
• The inclusion of methods that provide the desired results in the teaching of physical education;
• Tips and tricks – how small changes give big results (examples).

Day 5 – Action!

• Breaking myths about weight loss, nutrition, and body shaping and removing outdated thinking and methods;
• Learning how to recognize false information on social networks regarding food and fitness (false promises);
• Team working to make new examples and creating common materials.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Round up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.