What is BAM?

HCI is excited to launch Body Appreciation Month 2024. Throughout the month of February, we will be hosting programs and events that shed light on the topic of body image and encourage students to learn more.

The purpose of BAM is to bring awareness to all that our bodies can do for us and to support students in developing and maintaining a strong body image. It is our hope for all students to gain the skills to appreciate and respect their bodies, all while challenging societal and personal standards of beauty and worth. We are so glad you’re here!

Take the campus pledge to support your body image and holistic well-being! Click the icon above.

Check out our event calendar for the whole month of BAM.

Keep scrolling to the next page!

Find resources for body image support, helping others, and learning about eating disorders. Scroll to the end!

EVENTS

2/14: BAM @

HHW

2/14: BAM @

Lunes Latino

What is body image?

Body image is the mental picture one forms of one’s body as a whole, including its physical characteristics (body percept) and one’s attitudes toward these characteristics (body concept).

What is body neutrality?

Body neutrality is simply the act of taking a neutral stance toward your body – both emotionally and physically. It is an approach leans toward the belief that it doesn’t matter if you think your body is beautiful or not. Your value is not tied to your body nor does your happiness depend on what you look like.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are psychological conditions that affect your relationship with food. Each one involves serious changes in your normal eating behavior. More information about eating disorders can be found here (National Alliance for Eating Disorders).

Jayne

Mattingly

Jayne - a disability, and chronic illness advocate, speaker, mental health professional and author - helps those who struggle with body image and what she has coined as Body Grief through her expertise and vivid storytelling. Please read more about Jayne, her story, her upcoming book, and her amazing work on her website here.

Karen

McMullen

Karen currently serves as the Librarian at the USC School of Medicine here in Columbia. She is an advocate for eating disorder support here in South Carolina and beyond. Notably, for the past ten years, she organized NEDA walks on USC’s campus to bring awareness to eating disorders and to support students, like her daughter, who is an eating disorder survivor.

Dawndy

Mercer Plank

Dawndy is a well-known face in the Columbia community. After 35 years as a news anchor, she recently retired with her amazing portfolio of accomplishments. She is also a devoted mother who has dedicated much of her time to bring awareness to eating disorders, in honor of her daughter, who is an eating disorder survivor.

Eating Disorder Support

We value your feedback!

If you are interested in leaving feedback about any BAM event or program, please use this form.