Poor diets to blame for weight gain trend
By Sarah Martin
May 8, 2007 9:19 p.m.
In a world of mass-produced TV dinners, large portions from fast food restaurants, and a wide range of sweet and gooey options offered at college campuses, it may not be surprising that college students are becoming just as oversized.
The largest contributor to the increasing pandemic of obesity is the lack of a healthy diet, experts say.
Current government estimates hold that two-thirds of adults in America are either overweight or obese, said William McCarthy, a professor of public health and psychology.
“Our forebears 100 years ago did not have the obesity problems that are seen today. Our genes haven’t changed, but our nutritional environment certainly has,” McCarthy said.
Much of what people eat is defined by their culture and their immediate environment. Humans are the only animals that consciously alter their food for cultural reasons, professor of anthropology Monica Smith said .
“For example, McDonald’ses in foreign cultures have adapted to fit that culture’s preferences. In some countries it is a status symbol to go eat at McDonald’ses, reserved for important events like birthdays and anniversaries,” Smith said.
The new environment students encounter in college entails living away from their parents for the first time either in the dorms or in their own apartments.
“The problem is college students are eating too little of the minimally-processed plant foods but are consuming more calories. By consuming more calories in less time, and with less work to prepare them, they can’t be surprised to also finding a ballooning waistline,” McCarthy said.
At UCLA the Health, Nutrition and Fitness Committee, housed within the Student Welfare Commission, focuses on overall wellness and emphasizes the importance of taking care of yourself, said Liz Chou, co-director of the Health, Nutrition and Fitness Committee.
“In school, students stay focused on their classes, but we want students to know there are resources out there that enhance the college experience. I personally like how simple changes in diet, not drastic ones, can really improve life and make a difference in the enjoyment of college,” Chou said.
The Health, Nutrition and Fitness Committee tries to combat poor diet choices by disseminating information about all the health-related resources available to students at UCLA.
“We offer quarterly cooking classes where we teach them how to cook, give out more information on healthy eating habits, and prepare newsletters to be given out to the dorms. We work with the UCLA health education department and a registered dietician,” Chou said.
And while trimming down is seemingly the central focus of society’s push to a healthier culture, most experts say being healthier does not involve starving yourself ““ something many turn to ““ but instead involves making better and more satisfying choices.
“The irony is that you do not need to deprive yourself. In fact, the more vegetables you eat, the thinner you are. By filling up with fiber and water, it makes it easier to have a sustainable weight,” McCarthy said.
The good news is these days there are better choices in the dorms, such as salad bars, but many of these options are low in protein, which makes people feel full. Students should consume more protein sources from plants such as legumes and minimally processed whole grains, McCarthy said.
“Meat is a good source of protein, but not the only source. Legumes are rich in fiber so they offer more satiety,” meaning they satisfy your hunger faster when you eat them, McCarthy said.
The most important thing for college students to know is that they should get their nutritional information from reliable sources such as those provided by the government and not fad diet books, McCarthy said.
But experts agree that diet is only part of the equation for good health. Physical activity plays a large role in promoting healthier practices.
“The biggest problem for working adults and adolescents is a lack of physical activity. They are either in classes or in the office all day. Even elementary schools tend to focus on standardized tests more than physical fitness education even though many teachers recognize the advantages it provides to students,” said Toni Yancey, an associate professor of public health.
