Dietary Guidelines

No one expects to gain weight their freshmen year, but a great percentage of students do.
The lifestyles of college students are very strenuous and active, so how is it that college students are so likely to gain weight? Can this be avoided or can’t it?
Since soul food is most prevalent in the South and Louisiana is known for having a high obesity rate, it is more likely that many freshmen may experience weight gain. Does cafeteria food play a role in this weight gain? Or is it that fast food is a big part of the college student’s diet?
The problem isn’t so much about weight gain, but more of a health issue. Good nutrition can help you to maintain a healthy weight, to fight infection, to prevent disease and to have good mental health.
“Not only do freshmen gain weight, but upper classmen do as well when they attend college”, said Dr. Betty W. Fomby, Director of Center for Wellness.
According to Dr. Fomby, weight is gained when there are a variety of foods to choose from and individuals pick all of the wrong things.
“You have to have a balance of calories with exercise expenditure. If someone takes in more calories than they burn, their weight will increase.”
Based on studies done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, here are some simple suggestions for a healthy diet: (1) Eat enough of some foods and not too much of others. (2) The average person needs at least eight glasses of water a day. (3) Eat plenty of grains, fruits and vegetables.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly. College students may not be able to prevent weight gain, but good physical health can be attained.