By Kelly Lee
Staff Writer
The cabinet members stand proudly at the front of the classroom, welcoming the curious students with a friendly “Hey guys!” Students talk with an excited buzz as senior Koko Kusayanagi introduces the fun activity of cookie decorating to represent breast cancer awareness month.
“Leading BIEDAC is a really big thing for me because I think it’s a pretty known club on the campus.” Kusayanagi said. “Because body dysmorphia and those related disorders or problems are really common, it’s really an honor to be the president and to represent the club. Last year all of the cabinet members made each and every one of the meetings so interesting. I’m so excited to create meetings like those this year.”
Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Club is popular for those who need a safe space for anyone going through body insecurities, mental health issues or learning more about body disorders. BIEDAC meets every first Monday of the month in room 111.
“I was first introduced to BIEDAC through my current PR partner, who asked me if I wanted a club cabinet position,” sophomore Zoe Stillion said. “Since then, it has helped me bring more awareness to issues and become more comfortable. It’s also helped me overcome insecurities with my body.”
Last year’s BIEDAC meetings included pumpkin painting, journaling and Kahoots. The activities relate to body image and are fun ways for members to bond and learn more about self-image and physical health. For example, when watching Disney movies in a past meeting, beauty standards and stereotypes were pointed out and discussed.
BIEDAC also has a Be-U podcast that discusses “body image stories, spreads positivity and kindness, shares tips and tricks for self-care and spreads awareness about eating disorders and mental health.” Listeners can access the Be-U podcast through platforms like Spotify, Google podcasts or RadioPublic.
In the future, BIEDAC plans to introduce some meetings with Disney or Fall themes to help club members get familiar with the club and learn more about body disorders and mental health. The club hopes to formulate a better school environment and spread more awareness for these problems.
In a recent study conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, teenagers aged 13-19 were surveyed, with 35% saying that body image was something that often worried them. Body dissatisfaction is a common occurrence among teenagers. BIEDAC not only is a safe space for students to share more about their own insecurities, but get help for and relate to others that share the same experiences.
“Body dysmorphia is a prevalent issue right now, especially in high schoolers,” Kusayanagi said. “It is important to find someone you can talk to when struggling with body related problems. In the end, you may even feel confident and good in your body!”