WSSU offers programs, nutrition options to help fight obesity

With growing obesity rates, it seems as though the freshman 15 has become the freshman 40.

According to Adebola Ilesanmi, assistant director of the A.H Ray Student Health Center, Winston-Salem State has seen an increase in weight-related health issues amongst young students.

Problems such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and muscular problems due to excessive weight are diagnosed more frequently. Healthy eating habits and proper exercise are recommended for people diagnosed with weight related health issues.

"There are many wonderful programs available that encourage people to live healthy; however, the turnout for those programs has been very low," said Ilesanmi.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height and provides a reasonable indicator of body fat and weight categories that may lead to health problems.

During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. As people take in more calories than they can burn off, they gain weight. This applies especially to college students, who are away from home and lacking the cash for the more expensive healthful foods.

The Donald L. Evans Fitness Center, on the ground floor of the Thompson Center in suite G-01 can check BMI.  The Fitness Center also boasts seven different group exercise classes that are suitable for all fitness and skill levels.

Their newest addition is the Masala Bahangra Workout, an Indian-style dance-themed workout that strengthens as it tones your whole body. Other classes include Zumba, Kardio Kick, Yoga, 30-minute Abs, Body Blast Boot Camp and Conditioning Combo.

The instructional classes are Monday through Thursday and are free with no registration required.

"We have an array of fitness opportunities," said Vanessa Hood, director of campus fitness and certified personal trainer.

"I am always looking for ways to keep it fresh and trendy to attract students to come to the Fitness Center."

A study done by the Center for Disease Control comparing the obesity rates of African Americans to Caucasians shows that the rate of obesity is much higher for African Americans with 35.7 percent, whereas Caucasians have an obesity rate of 23.7 percent. Making it very important for African Americans to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle complete with diet and exercise.

How people eat and how active they are as well as biological factors affect how the body uses calories and gains weight.

Some people may inherit a tendency to gain weight. And family also helps form eating and lifestyle habits, which can lead to obesity.

"I don't think that the food on campus is very healthy," said Shalonda Davis, a sophomore English major from Thomasville, N.C.

Kennedy Dining Hall has made many modifications to help students make healthier food selections including a Campus Dish nutritional information kiosk, healthy choices charts, pamphlets, food allergy awareness stickers, and nutritional information about the daily entrees.

Whole grain options and made-to-order pastas also give students more of a say so in what they choose to eat.

Students may not be aware of the choices that are available to them on campus.

Knowing is half the battle. Getting motivated to live a healthier lifestyle isn't always easy, but it is a necessity for a longer more prosperous life.

"We try to give students multiple options for a healthy diet," said Catherine McCoulam, supervisor for Kennedy Dining Hall.