College means no more P.E. class, more study time and free reign of the fridge. That may sound cool, but add the stress of college life to couch potato weekends and poor dietary choices and you've got a recipe that's bad news for your health.
Of 163 college students who took part in a recent Tufts University study:
- 27 percent were overweight.
- Six percent were pre-diabetic.
- 10 percent had cholesterol levels that were either too high or two low.
Recognizing the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices, colleges and university are developing programs that encourage students to amp up the activity and keep stress in check. From massage therapy, smoking cessation counseling and fitness analysis to gyms, weight rooms and nutritional programs, colleges are helping their students bear the burden of staying healthy.
Counting calories and fat
Many schools, including Iowa State University and the University of California-Berkeley, post online nutritional values of their cafeteria food.
Harvard University, University of Northern Iowa, and Kansas State University (KSU), among others, kick it up a notch to allow students to plan their meals down to each addition at the salad bar, adding the calories and other nutritional content for them on the Web.
"With the self-service option at our dining centers, there's unlimited amounts of food," says Melissa Schrader, staff assistant and dietician for KSU's housing and dining services. "Having nutritional values available means students are less likely to overeat. Having the values available helps them make smarter food choices."
Midnight snacks that make sense
Alexa Schmidt, Binghamton University's registered dietician, offers a suggestion for students who are cramming all night for an exam and feel their stomach rumbling when they should be sleeping: "Plan an evening snack instead of calling for take-out or hitting the vending machine," she says.
A bowl of cereal topped with a banana, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a cup skim milk, or yogurt mixed with nuts and fruit is healthier than pizza or take-out, she adds, and is easier on the wallet.
If your school doesn't offer nutritional programs and online resources, try educating yourself with free online resources from the Department of Health and Human Services or WebMD. There are also subscription services like StudentHealth101.com that deliver information on health issues facing college students like you, along with guides on staying healthy.
Getting - and staying - active
Smarter activity choices should follow good nutritional habits, but the intimidation factor keeps many students from using on-campus health resources, whether it's visiting the fitness center or getting personal counseling, according to Carolyn Kaufman, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Columbus State Community College in Ohio.
"Since health centers can be overwhelming, it's a good idea to go when things are a little less busy so you won't feel crowded or on display. Make a commitment to yourself to try one new machine, technique, or class each time you go," Kaufman recommends.
OK, but what if you don't want to walk mindlessly on a treadmill for hours each week? Try forming an intramural team with friends, registering for a physical education class or finding pick-up games through an online resource like Sportsvite.com.
The stress of it all
Stresses like homesickness, adjustment trouble, anxiety and depression can lead to problems and substance abuse issues that cannot be ignored, says Bill Kelley, director of the Bozen Wellness Center at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. More colleges are addressing the problem creatively.
"If someone is depressed and lost interest in being active, we can physically walk the student over to a fitness class," Kelley says. "And if a student needs medication, we can call our campus doctor to come down for a consultation in the moment."
The message is clear: colleges and universities want more than wise graduates who attain wealth and leave a legacy. They want healthy ones that can enjoy life and contribute to society for many years to come.
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