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Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins tonight with the "Beauty and the Jock" kickoff event. The event features keynote speaker Allison Kreiger, a former UF Student Government President and Miss Florida 2006. Registered dietician Janis Mena with Gatorwell at the Student Healthcare Center says this year's theme is "No Boundaries: Eating Disorders Across Genders" because it is time to recognize that eating disorders do not discriminate. She says statistics say over ten million people are affected by eating disorders and men account for one million of them.

Mena says she is also excited to have Patrick Bergstrom a former Wesly College lacrosse player at the event who will talk about his battle with an eating disorder as well as alcohol abuse during his time at college.

Mena says the goals of this week are to raise awareness and support for an issue that affects so many college students. She says Gatorwell Services are always available to students looking for help.

The week's events will also include a candle-lighting ceremony in honor of those lost to eating disorders and a "9 Minutes of Nakedness" presentation which will take a stand against the unrealistic beauty standards currently influencing our society.