This project will work with 300-400 girls in the Greater Philadelphia Region next year to teach them how to resist the negative behaviors and ideas that lead to eating disorders.
Millions of Americans suffer from eating disorders - anorexia, bulimia and binge eating - which are caused by a combination of factors, including the US's obsession with thinness. ACTH is piloting the "Body Project" curriculum in Philadelphia, PA so that high schools girls can begin to push back against media messages that tell them to hate their bodies and gain a strong body image and positive relationship to food.
Girls will take a 4-8 week workshop on media literacy and body image to increase their confidence and prevent eating disorder behaviors. Why? One student summed it up: "I realized that although I criticize the media, I'm also a victim."
ACTH seeks to educate 400 girls per year on the importance of healthy body image. The long term effects include decreased rates of eating disorders, greater body satisfaction, better relationships with peers, and healthier, happier lives.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
