Delta Phi Epsilon Speaks Up For Eating Disorders and Spreads Love

West Long Branch, NJ  (The Verge)- “You are what you eat” is not as catchy of a phrase when somebody’s food consumption is nothing.
Low self-esteem and lack of confidence are some things most people have been faced with at least once in their lives, but those with eating disorders are faced with it every day. That is why Delta Phi Epsilon has dedicated a website to boost the confidence and support of those affected by these heartbreaking conditions.
“The main purpose of the website is to help spread awareness,” says Marisa Meiskin, Delta Phi Epsilon’s Vice President of programming. “Many girls now because of the media are so consumed with being skinny and perfect, and forget that there is so much more to an individual.”
One of the Delta Phi Epsilon’s philanthropies is dedicated to anorexia nervosa and associated disorders, and was therefore the inspiration for the creation of this inspiring website. Not only that, but it is a topic that Meiskin shares a great passion for. According to Meiskin, the website has been having a great following. People from the Asbury Park Press, The Outlook, the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), and people recovering have sent private messages of encouragement about the site.
According to Beauty Myths, a YouTube clip provided by the Speak Up Spread Love website, 80-90% of women are unhappy with their body image. In the 1950s, women’s body weight was not as low targeted as it is today. Marilyn Monroe was thick and loved by many men and women, but since the reign of Lesley “Twiggy” Hornby, the world’s first supermodel, the perception of a perfect image has changed.
Speak Up Spread Love shares pictures and inspirational quotes to help spread the awareness of why eating disorders are an issue. It also acknowledges that not everybody is “perfect” and that the idea of a perfect body image is butchered by the media and Photoshop.
The site also allows for people to Speak Up. Anybody can contribute to the cause by following the twitter account, posting a comment on the site, posting the link on their Facebook or social media pages, and sending a picture and quote to be put on the site. The goal of the website is to have a diverse following to show the wide spread support. This could range from any sorority, fraternity, student, young teenagers or adults.
To contribute to this cause, go to http://www.wix.com/dphiedeltaomega/speakupspreadlove.