Disordered Eating in African American Women

Tuesday, February 6
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Donahue 403

It is frequently assumed that African American culture embraces "the curve" and that women in this culture must have positive body image.  However, recent studies show that disordered eating is increasingly occurring among women in America's racial and ethnic communities.  Find out why, and what you can do to help someone you know who may have an eating disorder. Refreshments will be served.

Co-sponsored with Health Education & Health Services.

Presenter Bios

Catherine Collins, RN, MS, CHES, Director of Health Education, Wellesley College Health Services

Catherine has been presenting a slide show "Images of Women" on Wellesley's campus and at other institutions for the past 12 years.  The past ten years she has added text and slides about women of color. Clinicians in college health have been seeing students of color present with issues around eating and body image for the past 12-15 years, before the topic was given more attention in the research literature.

Vanessa Britto, MD, M.Sc. (Community Health), Director of the Health Center, Wellesley College Health Services

Joined the Health Service six years ago and has collaborated with Catherine on the expansion of Catherine's body image work over the past three years.  This presentation is an outgrowth of their joint interest in considering the many ways in which women of color see themselves in the world and the world sees them.