Obesity among young adults is increasing --- more than 25percent of men and women age 20 to 34 are obese -- and most peopledon't know it's the second leading cause of preventable death inthe United States, according to the American ObesityAssociation.
Irving Gymnasium's fitness room is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.and from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday. BallGymnasium's walking and jogging track is open to students from 6a.m. to 9 p.m. Lewellen Aquatic Center is open from 12 p.m. to 2p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Losing weight can seem like a big challenge, or even addedstress, when balancing classes and extra-curricular activities, buta professor of family and consumer sciences said students haveother ways to relieve stress than by eating.
"Students need to find ways to relieve their stress rather thenturning to food when stressed. Participate in recreationalactivities like jogging, walking, swimming," Kandiah Jayanthi said."They can have peer study groups, engage in hobbies and find otherrelaxation techniques like yoga, have a pet, or talk to friends torelieve stress."
According to the American Obesity Association, healthylow-calorie and low-fat diets as well as high levels of physicalactivity are the foundation for successful weight loss.
While maintaining a good diet is an important factor to losingweight, Josh Clauser, president of the Ball State DieteticsAssociation, said if he could offer advice to students, it would beto stay away from fad diets and to concentrate on losing weight ina healthy way.
"Students should take advantage of the Ball gym and Irving gym-they pay for this," Clauser said.
Students can avoid the infamous "freshman 15," the 15 poundscollege students are said to gain in their first year of college,in several ways, Jayanthi said.
"The new found independence, increase socializing and peerpressure, late night eating, drinking of alcohol and easyaccessibility to fast foods places and vending machines allcontribute," Jayanthi said. "These could be avoided by set mealtimes, don't eat on the run, eating more fresh fruits andvegetables rather than canned fruits or fruit drinks as well ashave structured physical activity - a minimum of 30 minutes ofmoderate physical activity -- most days of the week. Use a buddysystem; exercising with a friend will be helpful."
Clauser said that being overweight is a gateway to otherdangerous conditions.
"Being overweight can put extra stress on the back, knees, andankles," Clauser said. "It can lead to high blood pressure,diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease as well asbreast cancer, prostate and colon cancer."
Being overweight can also lead to emotional problems and a lackof self-esteem or ability to perform normal everyday activities,Clauser said. �
Jayanthi said there are several factors besides lack of physicalactivity that contribute to weight gain among college students.
"Fast food consumption, irregular meal times, increase portionsizes -- brought about by value meals, and increase consumption ofpop and energy dense beverages are all contributing factors,"Jayanthi said. "In many cases students eat on the run because oftheir hectic schedule. This coupled with making of poor choices andlack of nutrition knowledge aggravates the problem." �
Clauser said that for college students, an environment change isa key factor for weight changes.
"In high school lunches were monitored by the government,students were on the go from 7 a.m. to whenever if they had somesort of practice," Clauser said. "In college a student might nothave class until noon, and with dorm food a swipe of a card youcould be downing food that totals your calorie intake for the restof the day."
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