AMES, Iowa -- An author and national expert on obesity, addictions and eating disorders is the headline speaker for Iowa State's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week activities, Feb. 20-28.
Ralph Carson will present "Brain Fix: Using Neuroscience and Nutrition as a Metaphor for Recovery" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. His talk is free and open to the public.
Carson is a nutritionist and exercise physiologist with 35 years of clinical experience in treating addiction and eating disorders. With a distinctive understanding of health, wellness, exercise and nutrition and their effects on brain health, Carson has consulted with numerous treatment centers, created eating disorder and corporate wellness programs, and conducted trainings for professionals throughout the country.
Currently, Carson is executive director of FitRx, an intensive outpatient program in Nashville designed to assist people of size struggling with medical and psychological complications of binge eating. He also is a nutritional adviser to many university athletic departments, including the University of Tennessee's Lady Volunteers. His most recent book is "The Brain Fix: What's the Matter with Your Gray Matter?"
Carson has a bachelor of health science degree from Duke University Medical School and a doctoral degree in nutrition from Auburn University. He is an active board member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and the Binge Eating Disorder Association.
Carson will also speak at an off-campus collaborative event organized by the ISU student organization Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness and the Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa. Their "Eating Disorders Awareness Day" will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Des Moines Area Community College Southridge Center, 1111 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines. A continuing education session for professionals, and breakout sessions for the public will be held, as well as a silent auction. Complete information on the day's events is online at http://www.edciowa.com/ - !2014-edci/c1r7t.
Following are the additional on-campus activities for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
"Perfect Illusions"
7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 205 Carver Hall
A PBS documentary that shows the dramatic experiences of four families whose lives have been impacted by eating disorders. Viewers meet four young women who developed eating disorders in their teens, their parents, and specialists in the treatment of anorexia and bulimia. Following the 90-minute film, a question-and-answer panel discussion will be led by Taylor Locker, counseling psychologist and coordinator of Eating Disorders Services within ISU Student Counseling Services.
"Love your Body"
2-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, State Gym
A party in honor of you and your body will feature meditation, yoga, dancing, smoothies and vendors for self care products and services.
"Diversity, Body Image and Eating Disorders: We are All Impacted"
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, 205 Carver Hall
Panel discussion. Erin Pederson, licensed psychologist and diversity coordinator at ISU Counseling Services, and Myke Selha, a private-practice counselor from West Des Moines, will discuss body image, eating disorders and the LGBT community. Gloria Jones-Johnson, director of ISU's women's studies program, and Jen Coppoc, a lecturer in the American Indian studies program, will discuss body image, eating disorders and race. Nancy Evans, a former professor in the School of Education, will discuss body image, eating disorders and disability.
"Mindful Eating"/brown bag lunch activity
Noon, Friday, Feb. 28, 2021 Human Nutritional Sciences
Eunice Bassler, a registered dietician and senior lecturer in food science and human nutrition will talk about mindful eating, which is eating with purpose, reflection, intention and attention.
Carson's lecture and the week's other events are co-sponsored by Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness, FitRx, ISU Student Counseling Services, the Committee on Lectures (which is funded by the Government of the Student Body), Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa, Program for Women in Science and Engineering, graduate students of education and clinical psychology, Division of Student Affairs, Student Athlete Affairs, Collegiate Panhellenic Council, College of Human Sciences, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Department of Kinesiology.
