Body Compassion Week kicked off on Monday, Oct. 27, consisting of six body-positivity events over four days across the Claremont College campuses.
According to the assistant director of Health and Wellness at Tiernan Field House, Mayra Mendoza, Body Compassion Week is organized by the ED-RISE (Eating Disorder Recovery, Inclusion, Support & Education) team led by Whitney Tawney, in collaboration with partners across the Claremont Colleges. Tawney is a registered dietitian at Nutrition Services at the Claremont Colleges’ Student Health Services (SHS).
“The main goal of Body Compassion Week is to remind students that body acceptance is a journey, and that compassion, not criticism, is what helps us feel more at home in our bodies,” Mendoza said. “The week promotes the idea that everybody deserves care, rest and respect, regardless of shape, size, ability or where someone is in their wellness journey.”
Maristella Valore-Caplan SC ’28, who serves as body image and diet culture peer health educator at Tiernan, co-hosted the Body Diversity Pumpkin Painting Event on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The event took place on Elm Tree Lawn in collaboration with ED-RISE. According to Mendoza, the event aimed to encourage creativity and reflection on the beauty of diversity, like in pumpkins of different shapes and sizes.
“The goal isn’t to change people’s relationships with their bodies in one week,” Valore-Caplan said. “Instead, it’s to be a positive reminder that how your body looks has no impact on your worth as a person and that you deserve to celebrate yourself.”
While the pumpkin painting took place at Scripps, more events were hosted across the 5Cs, including Roberts Pavilion, the Pomona-Pitzer Center for Recreation and Wellness (CARW), McConnell Dining Hall, the TCCS Library and Flamson Plaza at Claremont McKenna College.
According to Mendoza, the idea for Body Compassion week stemmed from NEDA’s (National Eating Disorders Association) annual Body Acceptance Week.
“Body Acceptance Week is a reminder that all people and bodies are worthy of acceptance and empowerment,” NEDA CEO Liz Thompson wrote in a statement when the project launched in 2021.
ED-RISE has adapted the idea behind the week to prioritize compassion rather than the journey of acceptance.
“We want to remind everyone how important it is to show compassion to our bodies, no matter what stage [they are] in,” Mendoza said.
According to Mendoza, many students experience body dissatisfaction, disordered eating patterns or stress related to appearance in high-achieving college environments. Valore-Caplan said that Body Compassion week helps to counterbalance constant pressure on bodies and how they look in society. She thinks people’s language can subconsciously further these issues.
“When people joke about being ‘fatties’ or ‘big backs,’ it is reinforcing the idea that fatness is a negative trait,” Valore-Caplan said. “I hope these events can serve as a space for people to recognize that all bodies deserve kindness.”
Mendoza said that one challenge associated with Body Compassion Week is ensuring that all messaging remains inclusive and sensitive to the varied experiences students have with their bodies and eating, as well as reaching students who might be struggling privately.
“Body Compassion Week is about progress, not perfection,” Mendoza said. “Our hope is that every student walks away with one small act of kindness they can offer their body — whether that’s rest, nourishment, movement or gratitude.”
Nutrition Services is overseen by SHS, and provides individualized nutrition counseling and support to students with various health and nutrition-related concerns. Students can access free nutrition therapy services by calling SHS or Monsour Counseling Services (MCAPS) to set up an appointment.
According to Mendoza, Tiernan Field House’s Peer Health Educators can also connect students with on- and off-campus resources focused on nutrition and recovery.
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