It is the beginning of a new semester and students have a lot on their plate, both literally and figuratively.
Students are expected to balance school, work and a social life, among other things. They can sometimes forget about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This can result in what is often referred to as the ‘freshmen 15.’
“The reason for weight gain is twofold; it’s a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating,” said Mandy Woodhouse, director of the BYU-Idaho Wellness Center.
Students often find themselves with less than ideal eating habits.
“You get so excited that you’re at college and you just don’t take the time to make good meals,” said Whitney Hunsanker, a sophomore from Kaysville, Utah.
Most students agree on the reasons for the change in habits, including no time and no money to eat healthy.
“It’s too expensive to eat healthy — it’s true. I’ve been trying to and it’s taking a toll on my wallet,” said Tyson Andelin, a freshmen from Sparks, Nev.
Having little money is a common misconception. It is not significantly more expensive to eat healthily.
“I look at it this way, I can either buy a box of crackers or four apples that will fill me up just as much as the crackers,” said Woodhouse.
Nutritionists suggest adding a fruit or vegetable to every meal, making it a part of the daily routine.
In addition to being strapped for cash, students find social pressure to eat.
“You go on tons of dates, and what do you do? You eat pizza and ice cream. You can’t say, ‘Actually I’d like something organic,’” said April Edwards, a sophomore from Kaysville, Utah.
The most effective way to remedy this, nutritionists say, is to utilize portion control. Keep in mind that one deck of cards represents one serving of meat, one thumb for dairy, a baseball for fruit, your fist for vegetables and the tip of your thumb for fats or oils.
Another concern students have is the lack of healthy options available on campus.
“The Nordic has sandwiches and salads, but they’re only open from 11 to 2 and they are expensive,” Hunsanker said.
Woodhouse says she packs a lunch to avoid stopping on campus or going out to eat for lunch. “I’m on campus all day and I’m busy, but still manage to do it,” she said.
Woodhouse says along with eating habits that are less than ideal, students say they do not have time to exercise.
“In your efforts to be social, you just don’t make time for the gym,” Hunsanker said.
The Wellness Center is trying to combat this thinking. The center is a student-run facility dedicated to helping fellow students live a healthy lifestyle. It is located in the John W. Hart Building.
The most commonly used service is the hour-long assessment. Beyond height and weight, it includes blood pressure, body fat composition, cardiovascular, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility testing.
This assessment helps students make fitness goals based on their individual performance, because “the only competition is yourself,” Woodhouse said.
The center can provide personalized nutrition plans based on a two-day food log that students are asked to fill out.
Students are catching on. The Wellness Center is completely booked until November.
“Don’t be afraid to find out where you are at,” Woodhouse said. For appointments call 496-3046.
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