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SCSU steps in healthy direction
With the waistband of the country expanding, it is apparent that measures should be taken to trim down and tone up the American people. But where should the collective belt tightening begin and what measures are too drastic?
SCSU has taken a step in the right direction to teaching healthy living and slimming down. Friday, Diane Giambrung from the Central Minnesota Heart Center spoke on campus about the benefits and consequences associated with the Atkins and South Beach diets.
As the fad diet trend increases, more and more SCSU students are likely to buy into it - probably with unhealthy results. The availability of programs dealing with healthy eating and lifestyle must continue to grow to inform students of the implications of choosing diets that do not follow well-balanced guidelines.
Encouragement of healthy lifestyles is prevalent on campus in programs sponsored by Health Services and Campus Recreation, but there can never be enough education. Just as Health Services travels to classrooms promoting safe sex and vaccinations, a portion of that time in the classrooms could also be spent on the steps to a well-balanced diet and how to combat the "freshman 15."
A dietician on campus would be the next obvious step. How many times have students gone to Garvey or Burger King and grabbed a chicken sandwich and fries? Or when was the last time they had a pizza and breadsticks from Pizza Hut? A dietician could provide insight as to what healthy items to choose at Garvey, Freshens, Burger King or Pizza Hut while still maintaining that slim physique.
The other component to this is the availability of healthy eating options on campus. We have more than enough exercise facilities thanks to Halenbeck and Eastman, but eating options are not as prevalent. Students may frequent fast food choices because of the convenience. The Atwood Center (houses the homestyle, asian, taco and sandwich options), although healthier, is not in service as often or as long as Burger King or Pizza Hut.
It is easy to gain a few pounds at any point in life, but in college it seems that much easier. Hanging out with friends instead of pumping iron at the gym or ordering a pizza while cramming during finals week are traits that are more centralized to the college life. But fighting these weight boosters with crash diets and unhealthy lifestyles is not the way to go.
Friday's presentation, along with Health Services' information, Campus Recreation's programs and exercise facilities on campus prove that SCSU is on the walking path to a slimmer, more agile America. But we need to tie up our cross-trainers, because we still have a few miles to go.
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