Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Diet and fitness culture is growing fast in the U.S. Media provides a constant stream of ever-changing advice based on the latest studies, research and popular trends. Eggs were bad. Now eggs are good. Despite the increasing amount of information and exposure to such advice, the US continues to experience declining health and increasing body image and eating disorder concerns. In this showcase, we will explore the dark sides of diet and fitness culture, such as cycles of “clean eating” followed by binge eating, promotion of excessive exercise, and decrease in life satisfaction due to excessive health and body image concerns and comparisons. We will also discuss ways to use transpersonal psychology and mindfulness to reconnect to the body’s internal signals of hunger, fullness, fatigue, and desire to move. Lastly, we will explore how to rebalance our perspective of diet and fitness in relationship to other areas of life such as work, community, family, friendship, play, travel, leisure, service, spiritual practices, and more.