UF students signed up to get naked in the cold Thursday (2/25) afternoon. Students were told to spend nine minutes “naked,” stripping themselves mentally to promote National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week at the Reitz Union Colonnade. “My interpretation on the nine minutes is we can’t all be perfect 10s,” says Janis Mena, a registered dietician with GatorWell at the Student Health Care Center.

The bulletin boards surrounding the area were plastered with information on body image and eating disorders as passersby stopped to stare. "Over half of females between the ages of 18-25 would prefer to be run over by a truck than be fat," read one neon sign.

After spending nine minutes in the area, participants received a purple ribbon, a free T-shirt, flyers, magazines and buttons to spread the message. The event included a special performance by UF RecSports’ group Fitness Demo Team. Members from the team invited students to join them for Zumba and yoga lessons after the performance. “Nine Minutes of Nakedness” concluded UF’s National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The events were sponsored by GatorWell, Accent, University Athletic Association, Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and Women’s Leadership Council.

- Nhi Hoang