Thread: College and Obesity

I have read a new study that a huge percentage of college students are overweight because of their diet and I thought I'd share them all with you. I definitely agree that if you are too busy, you hardly get yourself healthy food because you just eat what is easily and readily available. Most of the time they are foods from fast foods such as fries, burgers, and pizza which are very rich in fat and carbo.

A new study at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, Minn., shows 47.7 percent of students on campus are obese or overweight. The study shows less than 1 percent of students are getting enough fruits and vegetables and at the school cafeteria, there are just a handful of bananas and two apples out for students to buy. School officials are thinking about posting calorie counts in the cafeteria, and coming up with healthier menu choices that include fruits and vegetables. The school also plans to promote their campus gym and offer weight management classes.

College students do gain more weight while studying because they are too busy to prepare their own food and exercise. I remember when I was in college when I would enjoy pizza, chips, and coke while I study for exams. These junk foods are killing a person's diet and anyone will gain weight unless you're the type who just won't gain weight no matter what you eat like my sister. The key is to still spend time exercising by walking around campus before going to class or coming home.

When I was in college there wasn't much of healthy foods in the cafeteria as well and since you are short in time, you eat in fast food restaurants. I often find myself eating burgers and fries because I can just bring them home and eat it while I study. Sometimes I carry chocolate bars with me and eat it on my way to school. Sadly I also gained weight in college because of poor diet and inactivity

I think many of us have been there and can relate to this problem. The best thing that a student can do is prepare their own food so they are sure that what they are eating is healthy.

That's the best way dazzler. If you have sandwich with you and some fruits you can eat them anywhere while studying.

When I was in college there wasn't too many choices of healthy foods around so I normally bring with me fruits and milk. Cafeteria foods most of the time are those that are easy to prepare and not as healthy. Sometimes I carry with me cereal in small boxes and just eat them on the go

college life was the worst. the cafe barely had any "healthy' foods to choose from, the only source of vegetables i could get was a measly little salad and there seemed to always be an abundance of pizza, burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. when there were healthy options, the plate portions were always soo small that if you tried to get more than 1 plate, you look like you're hogging all the food.
not to mention sitting in the library and class all day, no wonder why they call it frosh 15. i think maybe colleges should try to create more activities so that students can take a break from studying and move around.. and also to create a healthier menu

But don't you think that it's easier for us to say now that we would of chosen healthier foods back in college? My university tried a Healthy Meal Option, but it was shut down after no one really ordered that food besides the salads.

I think the college students are more obese then the working people, because they have a lot of time to eat the junk food and also their group likes to hang out more frequently. There physical activity is less because of a tight schedule of study.

___________

I agree with you Clenbut. College students do have more hectic schedules and during the weekends they tend to go party and drink and eat all they can. The stress is also contributing to the weight gain.