Jessica Setnick, M.S., R.D./L.D., spoke at the Hughes-Trigg Forum Monday afternoon as part of the SMU Health Center’s kick-off to National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which runs from Feb. 22 through Feb. 28.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, as many as 10 million women and one million men suffer from an eating disorder of some type.

Setnick is the founder of Understanding Nutrition, an organization promoting the treatment and prevention of eating disorders. From her North Dallas office, Setnick provides individual treatment to those seeking help, as well as hosting workshops and providing consultations to healthcare professionals.

Setnick’s lecture, “Eating Healthy In An Anorexic World,” primarily focused on the distorted body images that are projected upon young women and men by popular culture and media. Setnick showed a slideshow of images throughout the lecture, depicting bony swimsuit models gracing magazine covers and photos of well-known celebrities with and without their makeup.

After explaining why so many people are affected by eating disorders, Setnick discussed ways to incorporate healthy eating habits into everyday life. One technique Setnick talked about was “the Apple Test.” According to Setnick, this test is one way to determine whether or not your body is truly hungry. In simple terms, if you would eat an apple, your body is craving nutrition.

At the end of the lecture, before fielding questions from the audience, Setnick made all attendees raise their right hand and take a vow of respect for their bodies, their minds and their general well-being.