UVU Wellness Programs unite with local businesses, organizations to spread body positivity
-
- Taudine Andrew, co-founder of Curveture, center, gives a presentation during the “Beyond the Mirror” body positivity event hosted by UVU Wellness Programs along with co-presenters at Utah Valley University on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
-
- Attendees of the “Beyond the Mirror” body positivity event, hosted by UVU Wellness Programs along with co-presenters, participate in an activity at Utah Valley University on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
-
- UVU Wellness Programs along with co-presenters host a body positivity event at Utah Valley University on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
-
- Attendees of the “Beyond the Mirror” body positivity event, hosted by UVU Wellness Programs along with co-presenters, participate in a braiding activity at Utah Valley University on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
-
- Miss Riverton 2024 Kylie Hallet, center at podium, gives a keynote talk during the “Beyond the Mirror” body positivity event hosted by UVU Wellness Programs along with co-presenters at Utah Valley University on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
February is known for various heart-inspired themes such as Valentine’s Day and being recognized as American Heart Awareness Month. But February also is a month dedicated each year as Eating Disorder Awareness Month.
The observance aligned perfectly with the efforts of multiple organizations and businesses to empower people to cultivate a positive relationship with their bodies while amplifying awareness about the seriousness and realities associated with eating disorders.
On Feb. 6, Utah Valley University Wellness Programs hosted a new body positivity event called “Beauty Beyond the Mirror” on the university’s Orem campus.
In conjunction with other UVU organizations, Paul Mitchell The School in Provo, local nonprofit organization Every Body Retreats, Curveture Plus-Size Thrift Boutique in Provo and Miss Riverton 2024, the event consisted of engaging activities, presentations and a supportive community environment to foster self-love, body acceptance and social connectedness, according to event organizers.
“Anytime that we can come together and have these conversations, I think that’s really helpful,” said Kerri Scott, UVU Wellness Programs director. “Body acceptance (and) body image issues isn’t just an issue that affects women, it’s an issue that affects women and men.”
UVU Wellness Programs already offers a host of resources that aim to help people overcome struggles with body image, including its yearly body project.
Scott said she was approached last fall by members of the co-presenting groups with the idea of exploring ways of promoting body positivity in the community.
“We all have this kind of shared passion for creating a supportive community that would promote self love, body acceptance and social connection,” she said.
Miss Riverton 2024, Kylie Hallet, who is working to inspire changes abroad in how different body types are represented through her community service initiative “More Than Your Dress Size: Inspiring Inclusion Through Body Positivity,” served as keynote speaker during the event.
Scott said Hallet shared an inspiring message about why people should not let their body type hinder them from striving to reach their goals.
“No matter what your size is, no matter what you look like, we all have worth of value inside, and we shouldn’t let society’s expectations of that ideal woman or ideal appearance hold us back from doing things where we can actually make a difference and impact those around us,” Scott said.
Other presentations included tips for “bad body image days” by the organization Everybody Retreats, an affirmation and compliment craft by the UVU Center for Intercultural Engagement, a “Dressing Confidently at Any Size” workshop by Curveture and a braid bar by students from Paul Mitchell The School.
“Each activity helped attendees to explore their own beauty beyond external appearances and develop practices that encourage mental and physical well-being,” organizers said in a post-event press release.
Lillian Sanders, co-founder of Curveture, a store that empowers plus-sized women, highlighted the importance of fashion inclusivity, something her business is committed to in helping women of all body types feel comfortable in clothing they can enjoy wearing.
“We want to make everyone feel like they have the knowledge and are empowered to be able to feel confident in their own bodies, specifically with what they wear,” Sanders told the Daily Herald.
According to a study by the Utah Women & Leadership Project at Utah State University, about 9% of Utahns will experience an eating disorder at some point in their life, and about 28.8 million people in the United States will suffer from an eating disorder.
Most eating disorders stem from someone focusing too much on weight, body shape and food, and the National Eating Disorder Association says people in recovery should not feel pressured to dress in a certain way that makes them feel uncomfortable.
Sanders says her motivation for advocating for body positivity comes from a desire to give everyone the freedom of choice and the ability to express themselves through style.
She opened Curveture last October with her mother and said there’s been an overwhelming response from women who are showing gratitude for having a dedicated store with a plethora of plus-sized items.
“We’ve had multiple women say that to us, like, ‘I’ve never felt so just recognized and seen by, you know, maybe anyone, let alone like clothing manufacturers and retailers,'” Sanders said. “It’s been really meaningful for them and for us to be able to see that impact.”
Both Scott and Sanders emphasized the need for more community support and awareness in promoting body positivity and the impact of social media on body image perceptions.
Scott said the event was attended by more than 60 people who all seemingly resonated with the overall message, and the organization has received positive feedback.
“It was really empowering to be vulnerable and open about lifelong trauma that we can only overcome together,” organizers said one participant remarked of the event.
UVU Wellness Programs and the “Beauty Beyond the Mirror” partner organizations say they are already planning to bring the event back on an even larger scale next year.
