SF State's newest campus organization, Active Minds, encouraged students to love their bodies and spread awareness of different eating disorders.

Different activities were held on campus Monday through Thursday during Love Your Body Week to teach students how to take care of their bodies, explore eating disorders plaguing young adults and to accept and embrace one's body shape.

Active Minds was recognized as an official SF State organization in December and will become the 15th Active Minds chapter in California. The organization focuses on mental health awareness, attempting to get rid of the misconceptions and stereotypes that come with different types of eating and mental disorders and allowing students to take part in helping people with self-esteem issues.

"I was approached about starting a chapter here on campus and thought it would be a great idea," adviser Yolanda Gamboa said. "It is a great way to incorporate health and inform students on mental issues that aren't really talked about."

According to Gamboa, the organization began last semester. Although she is still pretty involved with all the activities, group president Jasmin Bomanjee and the other students involved have taken over the main organizational duties and event planning.

"I am very passionate about mental health," graduate student Bomanjee said. "I know students are intimidated by the subject of mental health, but I want to make it something that is easy to approach and really encourage people to help out and ask any questions they may have."

Bomanjee organized this week's events and created the fun title "Love Your Body Week," originally called National Eating Disorders Week. Bomanjee changed the title to make it sound more positive.

Ten million women suffer from anorexia and bulimia here in the U.S. according to a recent "Love Your Body Week" national poll, which also showed that a staggering 81 percent of 10-year-olds are scared of being fat.
Twenty-five percent of women ages 18 to 25 use purging (causing oneself to throw up after eating) as a way to manage and maintain their weight, according to the same poll. It was these statistics that inspired the group to encourage a healthier self-image among students.

"Our first event got rained out, but it was supposed to be a time to meditate, discuss and write down positive messages about body images," Bomanjee said. "Our other events had a fairly good turnout, so I am very excited to see this organization grow."

Some of the other activities during the week included a viewing of the film "Real Women Have Curves," which was followed by a discussion, and an arts and crafts booth that allowed students to modify Barbie and Ken dolls using clay to reflect breaking society's stereotypes on physical attractiveness.

"The dolls were supposed to be on display at the bookstore," Bomanjee said. "I am looking for another place where the dolls will be displayed, because they are awesome and very creative."

Currently, Active Minds has 14 members. They are funded by the Associated Students, Inc. The organization is currently aiming to have at least one week-long activity each semester that focuses on embracing one's mind, body and soul.

"I saw people adding booty to Barbie the other day," freshman Allie Long said. "I think it's a really positive thing this new organization is doing and I'm definitely glad we have it because these days, body image is what students need to be discussing and feeling good about."