February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month, and Penn State students who are concerned about eating disorders now have the opportunity to learn more about them through visual and performing art.

Several free events will take place this week in the HUB-Robeson Center to promote awareness about body image and eating disorders, in cooperation with the Calculations for the Perfect Woman exhibit in the gallery and the Standards of Beauty poster exhibit in the art alley.

At 7 tonight in the HUB Auditorium, the University Park Ensemble will present Body Loathing, Body Love, a play written by Jessica Weiner, a national author and expert on eating disorders.

Barry Kur, professor of theater and director of the University Park Ensemble, said the play involves short scenes with a variety of perspectives about eating disorders.

"Those who deal with eating disorders in their own personal life often keep it secret and are in denial," Kur said. "We hope to open people's eyes to the causes of this problem. It's important to get these things out in the open and relieve some of the denial that this is happening."

Kur said the play will be followed by a talk-back session that he moderates.

"We want people to become aware of the complexities of eating disorders and share their own thoughts," he said. "Some people share their own stories, and some are awakened to an issue they haven't been made aware of before."

Mary Ann Knapp, clinical social worker at the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), said she has seen the play and thinks it helps people stay connected to the reality of eating disorders.

"It's interesting because people have an emotional reaction to what they see, versus hearing a lecture," Knapp said.

In addition, students in the College of Communications will be performing plays they have written about the themes of the Calculations for the Perfect Woman Exhibit in Playmakers Playhouse, which will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the HUB-Robeson Gallery.

Students who want a more interactive approach to learning about body image may want to attend Calculations for the Perfect Woman: An Interactive Workshop, facilitated by Pam Monk, lecturer in communications. It will take place at 7 p.m. Monday in the gallery.

"It will give people a chance to air things out in a safe environment," Monk said.

Students must pre-register for the workshop by Friday by calling 863-0461 or e-mailing slk5@psu.edu.

Pam Kulp (senior-biobehavioral health), who helped designed a brochure that will be available at Body Loathing, Body Love, said educating people through art is less threatening because it give them a subliminal message.

"Sometimes people can relate to what they see on a wall or in a gallery, and it gives them the courage to say, 'That's me up there -- I really need to seek help,' " Kulp said.

Susan Kennedy, associate director of University Health Services, said the events will offer students a chance to think about these issues in a different way.

"I believe art can be a really wonderful tool for education and health promotion," Kennedy said. "You'll see a lot of positive messages that are empowering for students who participate in these activities."

Students who are struggling with eating disorders can seek help on campus from individual or group counseling at CAPS, Knapp said.

"We also make referrals privately if it seems like the person needs or wants longer-term counseling, which is usually the case with eating disorders," Knapp said. "Sometimes people may be at individual counseling downtown, group therapy at CAPS and seeing a nutritionist. It's a multi-dimensional treatment plan."

Knapp said college students are at a particular risk for developing eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction.

"It's the time of life when there is the most pressure to meet the ideals of physical appearance," she said.

Knapp said that the media sets up unrealistic expectations of beauty and contributes to eating disorders because it impacts self-esteem.

However, there are other factors that can cause eating disorders, such perfectionism, experiencing trauma in one's life and a family history of depression, she added.

"Life is complicated at this point in a person's life, and it can feel overwhelming," Knapp said. "In some ways, eating disorders simplify life by giving people an arena to focus on, but they pay a price because they're harming themselves."