Cal State Northridge is marking National Eating Disorders Awareness Week with its 11th annual "Mind, Body and Spirit Fair," a series of educational events from Feb. 22-Feb. 28 designed to shed light on the issues surrounding eating disorders and body image.

"The fair offers an opportunity for people to take a look at the silent epidemic associated with eating disorders and find laughter and understanding. They learn that they are not alone in their struggles with body image," said Ellen Mayer, a university counselor and director of Joint Advocates for Disordered Eating (JADE), which is hosting the week.

Mayer pointed out that the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than five million Americans are affected by an eating disorder each year. Between 5 and 20 percent of those people will die from medical complications associated with their disorder.

She said a recent survey of more than 1,000 CSUN students found that 60 percent of them knew someone with an eating disorder. Twenty-eight percent of the respondents said they had or have an eating disorder.

"As college students are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders and disordered eating, awareness and prevention are vital on a college campus," Mayer said.

The week’s highlights include:

• An exploration of male and female body issues with author Leigh Cohn from 10 to 10:45 a.m. and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Sierra Center Meeting Room.
• Massages, eating disorders screenings and arts and crafts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, on the Sierra Lawn.
• Discussions on understanding eating disorders in today’s culture by licensed psychologist and eating disorders specialist Dena Cabrara from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union.
• A multi-media presentation by comedian Michelle Garb that explores anorexia, bulimia and over-eating on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Lakeview Terrace Room of the University Student Union.