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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1982)
Your CHOICES make the difference P Planned Parenthood .34 E 3th • Near Campus BIRTH CONTROL PREGNANCY TESTS PAP SMEARS PRIVATE • PROFESSIONAL Body psychology Obesity is a feminist issue, say fat' counselors Overweight women need to realize that they’re not awful people because they're fat, say leaders of two groups which deal with the psychological aspects of being overweight The groups are aimed at women who feel "disgusted’’ with themselves because they are overweight They explore why overweight women feel inadequate and how the women can control their eating and gain a more positive image of themselves Nina Bernstein, clinical social worker, operates one group and Mary Dieters, Jan Krambule and Candy Reynolds run a group through the University counseling center The women stress that most participants in their groups are not obese, but usually only 10 to 15 pounds overweight. “These women use food as a weapon to suppress their inner emotional feelings about themselves like anger, anxiety, depression and boredom Food fills an emotional need not met otherwise," says Dieters "They are disgusted with their bodies," adds Krambule. "They don’t see themselves in the mirror They restrict their actions — don’t wear a swimming suit or jogging clothes They postpone life and say they can’t do it until they get thin ” The sessions try to teach the women that they don't need to take out their frustrations on food "They are bombarded with foods and overuse food as a support,"says Bernstein "When things get hard for them, they eat Overweight people overuse food and underuse other kinds of body pleasure such as massage, sauna, facials, making love and bubble baths.” Both groups use exercises from the book "Fat as a Feminist Issue” to help the women "explore what fat means to them and what it would be like to be thin," according to Bernstein "It’s a good place to start because we make food choices every day,” she continues "You will feel better about food and the choices you make after doing exercises to decide what types of food — creamy, boiled, fried, sweet, sour — give the most enjoyment “Food should feed the spirit as well as the body." she adds Reynolds and Krambule also lead their group in guided fantasies to help them become more familiar with themselves For example, they may tell the women to imagine themselves at a party First, they imagine they are getting fatter and fatter, noting others’ reactions and their appearance and behavior, then they imagine losing all that weight “We tell them to note the differences in the way they present themselves, their clothing and their reactions to others," says Krambule "There is an awareness to seeing themselves both ways " The groups also work on changing the "cognitive messages' that society imposes on women For example, they try to deal with feelings like “I'm not OK because I don't look like Cheryl Tiegs ' which is a cognitive message women unconsciously believe and that "we must learn to change,” says Reynolds Both groups emphasize that they are not a diet program "We are moving away from diets because diets do not solve the problem," says Dieters, a nutritionist at the student health center The group leaders agree that part of the problem for the women they counsel is that losing weight is perceived as easy by most of society "People think that fat is easy to change and within people's control,” says Krambule That just complicates the problem The media also tends to give people the belief in the magic formula to lose weight That is an unrealistic expectation They say overweight is easy to solve - it's not Then women try it and if it doesn't work then they blame it on themselves, not on the formula"* . The women blame the media for giving society a ’alse picture of what the "ideal woman" should look like and placing a great emphasis on thinness Krambule notes one study where people rated pictures of kids with different physical handicaps and of different races. "When they rated likability, fat children were at the bottom," she says "Not only with their peers but with adults "The whole idea of being beautiful, real young, and real thin with a pre-adolescent body is impossible for some people to ever achieve," says Bernstein "Women should look how they want to look, not how society says they should,” says Dieters "Women have a distorted image of themselves and how they should be " The counselors agree that despite the disadvantages of being overweight, many women have an "investment in being heavy" and so subconsciously don’t want to lose weight "It protects them They are less likely to be taken advantage of sexually,” says Krambule "Also, you know what you're liked for It has to be more than appearance You can be more secure in the relationships you do have " Losing weight can mean gaining a new self image a Fat is a national obsession,’’ says Tami Kinley, director of Weight Loss Clinic "Weight does matter," she continues "Women have no confidence when they are overweight They are lethargic and flabby They don’t feel comfortable When they lose the weight they can feel confident with being comfortable with themselves.” However, she admits that becoming thin will not change womens’ perception of themselves Men can look in the mirror once they lose the weight and adapt their minds to the weight loss,” says Kinley. "Women need much more behavior modification to credit themselves or appreciate themselves They have to deal with themselves as thin ” The clinic sees between 120 and 140 people per day About 90 percent are women Kinley says many of the women are housewives and women who have recently had babies who are "going into the job market A lot of people want jobs and the best quality and the best looking people are hired "Women want to look their best and if they take off the weight they do look their best ” The clinic offers a three-part program of weight loss, stabilization, and maintenance They "start behavior modification from day one " Kinley explains there are three types of fat - subcutaneous fat right under the skin, normal fat which provides everyday energy and storage fat which has no function Unfortunately, she says, most diets aim at the first two types of fat instead of the storage fat Kinley says the program is "teaching Americans what good nutrition is.” The clinic provides an individualized diet for each person, depending on their age, medical background and activity level. She said 80 percent of the people on their program achieve their goal weight, and 70 percent of those people keep the weight off. She says places such as Weight Loss Clinic are necessary 'because a lot of people can’t diet on their own. They are like alcoholics. Some people can't control their eating properly We are a training device for those people." Overeaters Anonymous also sees overeating as a problem comparable with alcoholism. In fact, they use the same techniques as Alcoholics Anonymous — treating overeating as a disease and using group support to control the urge to eat “OA is a fellowship that allows members to share their experiences, strength and hopes. It deals with more than just food — it deals with why “Stories by Sandy Johnstone" we eat,'' says Lea, who refused to give her last name in keeping with the group’s anonymity. "OA tries to reach inside and try to find out why you're letting it happen to you and overcome the need to eat,” she says. “We talk about needing to eat — and that seems to eliminate part of the need to eat by getting the emotions out.” Dieting is the program’s main emphasis. Each member has a food sponsor who helps regulate the member’s eating habits. Members call their food sponsors every morning and tell them what they are planning to eat all day. “Overeaters feel ‘food is my best friend. Food comforts me when I’m sad. I turn to food for comfort,’ ’’ Lea says. “Overeaters tend to be isolationist and very lonely people because they turn to food for companionship instead of to people. We try to teach them to turn to people not food.” sqpji 13th & Kincaid Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30 Sat 10:00-3:00 BOOKSTORE General Books Mft-3510 • Supplies M6-4331 Building on on architecture future?, The Bookstore Book Deportment would like to help build your future in architecture. ALL ARCHITECTURE BOOKS in the Book Dept. Reduced 20% May 17-22 * Includes publishers’ architecture remaiders * Limited to stock on hand * Cash register sales only Tr -IT Try * 1 ‘T"* Lj rs • / r i GOOD FRIDAT “THE BEST GANGSTER MOVIE TO COME ALONG SINCE THE GODFATHER’” Judith Crist ..HUGELY ENTERTAINING!” Vincent Conby NEW ORK TIMES “A SPLENDIDLY CINEMATIC THUNDERBOLT" GW*atiey COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE "★★★★. NOTHING SHCJRT OF A MASTERPIECE " Richard freedman NEWHOUSE NEWSWERS THE UXNG GOOD FRIDAY HANDMADE HEMS Presents BOB HOSKINS *nd HELEN MIRREN ,n ‘THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY’ Muik computed by PRANC IS MONKMAN O.gm.l Kteenpl., b, BAR R It RHIPt Produced by BARRY HANSON Lhrecied by JOHN MAI Rt N/lt — TJ »?iPicru«e6 Am ■ HANDMADE FILMS! <P RNiBAasyTItorcTcjBes _ rnt mamomam f )imitftiiPa*iwtAWit# © ah aio«m a»tta*tD VALLEY RIVER 1077 VALLEY RIVER DR Starts Tonight Graphic by Michael Schafbuch All you Ducks.... Your Phone Needs A Home During The Summer Vacation Call us now—484-7770—and tell us when you want your phone disconnected for the summer vacation. And we will credit $5 to your final bill when your return your phone(s) to any Grocery Cart Store, or one of the Bell Phone Centers in the Eugene-Springfield area: * 112 E. 10th Ave., Eugene (9 am - 5 pm, M-F) * The Springfield Mall, Springfield (9 am - 5:30 pm, M-F) * The Valley River Center, Eugene (10 am - 7 pm, M-F, 10 am - 6 pm, Sat.) Call Us Now and avoid the rush. Pacific Northwest Bell PUBLIC NOTICE...STEREO LIQUIDATION California Stereo Liquidators, Federal No. 95-3531037, will dis pose of, for a manufacturer’s representative, their inventory surplus of new stereo equipment. The items listed below will be sold on a first-come first-served basis at. . . Saturday, May 22, 1982 HOLIDAY INN 9:00 A. M. to 2:00 P. M. 225 Coberg Rd., Eugene, ORonly while quantities last 5 Only AM/FM Cassette Car Stereos. In Dash Disposal Value Price $159. $29 each 22 Pair Only Coaxial Car Speakers Giant Mags Value Disposal Price $89 $29 5 Only AM/FM 8 Trk Car Stereo In Dash $139 $29 each 20 Pair Only Triaxial Car Speakers, Giant Mags $119 $49 20 Only 8 Track Car Stereos, Underdash $69 $19 each 18 Only Graphic Equalizers For Car. High Wattage $159 $39 each 20 Only Cassette Car Stereos. Underdash $75 $25 each 23 Pair Only 2 Way Car Speakers. Dual Cone $49 $19 32 Only AM/FM/8 track Car Stereos In Dash (Best) $165 $59 each 10 Only AM/FM in Dash Cassettes For Small Cars $225 $89 each 30 Only AM/FM Cassette Car Stereos In Dash (Best) $189 $59 each 22 Only AM/FM Cassettes For Car with Auto Reverse $225 $89 each 20 Fatr Only Modular 4 Way Speakers $179 $89 pair 27 Only Power Boosters For Stereo, High Wattage $89 $29 each ALL BRAND NEW MERCHANDISE WITH FULL 2 YEAR WARRANTIES! Buy one or ail of the above quanties listed—The Public is Invited VISA MASTERCARD. CASH or PERSONAL CHECKS WELCOMED
