SUNY Oneonta Students Receive Award at NYS Nutrition and Dietetics Conference

Three SUNY Oneonta Dietetics students presented research from a yearlong, grant-funded project called "The Body Project" at the Annual Meeting & Expo (AME) of the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NYSAND). The conference was held Friday, April 25, at Union College in Albany, NY.

The AME conference features a range of nutrition and dietetics events, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, and poster presentations by students, interns and professionals. Students Sabrinna Mena, Katie Daniszewski and Brendan Heaney received the Poster Award in recognition of their research and scholarly work.

The Body Project is a peer-led body image and eating disorder workshop designed to challenge harmful appearance ideals and promote healthier attitudes. The project was supported by the Student Grant Program for Research and Creative Activity, which is funded by the University Foundation and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association, and facilitated by the Senate Committee on Research and the Faculty Center.

The project built on earlier research conducted in spring 2024, when students completed a campus-wide needs assessment. The survey found high rates of eating disorders, disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction among SUNY Oneonta students. Sixty percent of respondents showed signs of elevated eating disorder risk, and 42% were at moderate to high risk for compulsive exercise.

In a pilot group of seven students, participants completed surveys before and after attending The Body Project workshop. Results showed improvements in eating and exercise behaviors. On average, eating disorder risk scores dropped by more than seven points, and compulsive exercise scores decreased by nearly 2.5 points.

These findings suggest The Body Project may be an effective tool for improving body image among SUNY Oneonta students.