Feb. 22, 2010
GAINESVILLE, FL. –
Allison Kreiger Walsh had two eating disorders, and she’s not afraid to talk about her struggle.
The University of Florida graduate, who battled anorexia and bulimia for three and a half years, will share her story as part of UF’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, she said.
“Beauty and the Jock: Real People, Real Stories” will kick off the week at 8 p.m. on Feb. 22 in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is from Feb. 21 to Feb. 27.
Walsh, 26, and lacrosse player Patrick Bergstrom will share their experiences with eating disorders as co-speakers at the event, she said.
Walsh, a student at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law, graduated from UF with a degree in public relations. She served as a student senator and won the title of Miss University of Florida in 2002.
Her anorexia and bulimia began in high school. She sought help during her senior year.
By the time Walsh started college, her eating disorders were under control. Though she still looked to her counselors for advice, she was able to help other students with the disease.
Through the UF Student Health Care Center, Walsh was able to share her recovery story by speaking to students through outreach presentations.
She won the title of Miss Florida in 2006. Walsh now leads her own nonprofit, Helping Other People Eat. She is also the chair of the National Eating Disorders Association Junior Board.
Walsh met Bergstrom through her involvement in the association.
He will be the first male ever to speak at a UF National Eating Disorders Awareness Week event, according to Janis Mena, RD, nutritionist for GatorWell Health Promotion Services and an organizer of the week’s events.
In the United States, 10 million females and one million males have eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, according to Mena.
She said it is important to get more males involved, because eating disorders affect them too. Awareness can also help males aid their significant others.
Bergstrom, 26, a graduate of Wesley College and a two-year academic all-conference lacrosse player, battled anorexia for four years. He founded I Chose to Live LLC, an outreach program based on athletic principles and recovery, according to Bergstrom.
Breaking the gender stereotype is exciting for Bergstrom. He thinks it’s a good way to let people know there are no boundaries with the illness. He said there are many males in trouble but they are afraid to talk about it, just like he was. He hopes to be a positive voice and destroy the stigma.
Walsh thinks that Bergstrom’s experience shows how eating disorders can affect males and athletes. She believes it is courageous of him to tell his story.
At the event, Walsh will tell her story from start to finish. She will explain how she adjusted to life after the eating disorder and how recovery is possible, she said.
“I want my message to transcend the normal student,” Walsh said. “I never thought I would still be doing this, but it’s a commitment for life.”
Other events of the awareness week include Lights of Hope and 9 Minutes of Nakedness.
