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<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Researchers at Harvard

University recently reported that just over one-third of Americans

are obese. The Harvard researchers also project that this number

will only grow in time. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>By 2050 the researchers

think that America will have a population that is 42 percent

obese.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>This has become a serious

issue for many college campuses and health associations in recent

years who are trying to battle the weight gain trend in the United

States.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“The freshman 15 is real,

and it happens to so many people,” Glenda Richey, coordinator of

fitness at the UNA Student Recreation Center, said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>According to the American

College Health Association, only 36 percent of college age students

eat three or more fruits and vegetables a day. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Also according to the ACHA,

just over one-third of college students are overweight based on

their body mass index or BMI.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Peggy Bergeron, a nurse with

UNA’s Health and Wellness Center, warns students that the effects

of obesity are dangerous. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>According to Bergeron,

obesity can cause: hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, sleep

apnea, psychological problems and many other issues.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“Be mindful of what you eat

and participate in a regular physical activity,” Bergeron said.

“Developing good habits and lifestyles now will make it easier to

maintain [these lifestyles and habits] for life.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Bergeron said that exercise

and good nutrition is a key in the weight-control challenge.  She

suggested students cut out most of the fast foods, processed foods

and sodas in their daily diets.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Bergeron also suggests

students take a good look at their serving sizes and read the

labels on the foods they consume. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Both Bergeron and Richey

recommend students take a look at their calories in versus their

calories out. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Most students are typically

not doing the physical activities they once did, Richey

said. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“Students should participate

in a variety of workouts, do not do the same thing all the time,

change it up,” Richey said. “Personalize your workout; what works

for someone, may not work for someone else.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Richey recommends students

who are healthy enough to work out should participate in some sort

of cardio to get the heart rate up for at least 20 minutes four to

five times a week.  

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“Get a friend that you can

be accountable with and work out together,” she said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Everyone can use a trainer,

even the most experienced athletes, Richey said. She suggests that

students take advantage of the free trainers that UNA’s Student

Recreation Center offers. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>For information on

nutrition, contact Bergeron at the UNA Health and Wellness Center

at 256-765-4328. To set up a time to meet with a trainer at the

Student Recreation Center, contact Richey or her staff at

256-765-6021.