Lori Meadows
The transition to university is a critical period for dietary changes, with many students moving away from home and taking charge of their eating habits for the first time. This can lead to unhealthy weight gain, with terms like freshman 15 or fresher five referring to the pounds gained by new students. Factors such as increased alcohol consumption, junk food, decreased physical activity, and stress-induced cravings for sugar and fat contribute to this weight gain.
Universities have a role to play in promoting healthy eating among their students. Some strategies include making healthy food more available and affordable, educating students and staff about healthy food choices, incorporating physical activities, and working with local communities to improve access to fresh produce.
Nutrition education is a vital part of empowering students to make healthy choices. However, students in the US receive less than 8 hours of required nutrition education each year, far below the 40-50 hours needed to affect behaviour change. Schools can incorporate nutrition education throughout the school day, in classrooms, cafeterias, and other locations. Farm-to-school programs, school gardens, and taste tests are some ways to engage students in learning about nutrition and trying new, healthy foods.
By addressing these issues, universities can help students develop healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight gain | Commonplace among first-year university students worldwide |
| Factors leading to weight gain | Spike in alcohol consumption, consumption of junk food, sudden drop in physical activity, increased stress leading to cravings of sugar, fat and salt |
| University's role | Make healthy food more available and cheaper, educate students and staff about healthy food choices, incorporate physical activities, work with local communities |
| Healthy eating learning opportunities | Nutrition education and other activities integrated into the school day |
| Nutrition education | A vital part of a comprehensive health education program |
| Nutrition education in schools | Less than 8 hours of required nutrition education each school year |
| Nutrition education in schools | Needed: 40 to 50 hours to affect behavior change |
| Nutrition education in schools | Percentage of schools providing required instruction on nutrition and dietary behaviors decreased from 84.6% to 74.1% between 2000 and 2014 |
| Nutrition education | Can teach students to recognize how healthy diet influences emotional well-being and how emotions may influence eating habits |
| Nutrition education | Can be incorporated throughout the school day and in various locations within a school |
| Nutrition education | Can be included in the classroom, either through a stand-alone health education class or combined into other subjects |
| Farm-to-school programs | Purchasing and serving local or regionally produced foods in the school meal programs, educating students about agriculture, food, health, and nutrition, engaging students in hands-on learning opportunities through gardening, cooking lessons, or farm field trips |
| School garden programs | Can increase students’ nutrition knowledge, willingness to try fruit and vegetables, and positive attitudes about fruits and vegetables |
| Cafeterias | Learning labs where students are exposed to new foods through the school meal program, see what balanced meals look like, and may be encouraged to try new foods through verbal prompts from school nutrition staff, or taste tests |
What You'll Learn
Healthy food availability and affordability
The university years are a critical period for altering dietary patterns, and universities have a responsibility to educate and develop young adults by fostering a healthy culture.
Make Healthy Food More Available and Affordable
A study of food outlets in six Australian campuses revealed that healthy food was less available and more expensive. Dr Rajshri Roy, a co-author of the study, suggested that modifying the types of food available to young adults can improve their dietary behaviour.
Some specific strategies include:
- Cutting out sugary drinks from vending machines
- Serving self-serve tap water with every meal
- Decreasing portion sizes of unhealthy food
- Making fruits, vegetables, and water available in prominent places
Additionally, lowering the price of healthy food and providing incentives for healthier options, such as including them in meal deals, can make a significant difference.
Educate Students and Staff About Healthy Food Choices
Nutrition education is vital to empowering students to make informed food choices. Universities can play a role by providing nutritional guidelines and highlighting the nutritional values of different food options.
Incorporate Physical Activities
Physical activity can complement healthy eating habits. Universities can encourage students to utilise sports facilities and participate in athletic programs and teams.
Work with Local Communities
Universities can partner with local communities to address food insecurity and improve access to fresh produce. Community gardens, for example, can be a way to engage students and staff in learning about hunger, food access, sustainability, and climate change while also providing health benefits.
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Education on healthy food choices
The transition to university is a critical period for dietary changes, with many students moving away from home and taking charge of their eating habits for the first time. This can lead to unhealthy weight gain and an increased risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, education on healthy food choices is crucial to help students develop good dietary habits and maintain their overall health and well-being. Here are some strategies to promote education on healthy food choices among university students:
Make Healthy Food More Available and Affordable
Universities can play a significant role in promoting healthy eating by making nutritious food more accessible and affordable on campus. This includes offering a variety of healthy options, such as fruits, vegetables, and water, at prominent places on campus. Reducing the price of healthy food and providing incentives for healthier options can also encourage students to make better choices.
Educate Students and Staff About Healthy Food Choices
Nutrition education is vital to empower students to make informed decisions about their dietary habits. Universities can provide nutritional guidelines, display nutritional values of food options, and offer educational workshops or seminars to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating.
Incorporate Physical Activities
In addition to healthy eating, promoting physical activity can help students maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being. Universities can invest in sports facilities and encourage students to participate in athletic programs and extracurricular activities.
Work with Local Communities
Universities can partner with local communities to address food insecurity and improve access to healthy food options. This may include community gardens, farmers' markets, or programs that connect local farmers with communities lacking access to fresh produce.
Offer Practical Tips and Resources
Providing practical tips and resources can help students make healthier choices. This could include offering cooking classes, meal planning workshops, or guidance on reading food labels and understanding portion sizes.
Address Barriers to Healthy Eating
It is important to identify and address the barriers that may hinder students from making healthy food choices. These barriers can include a lack of time, knowledge about nutrition, or financial constraints. Universities can offer support and resources to help students overcome these challenges.
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Incorporating physical activities
Incorporating physical activity into the university curriculum is an important strategy to promote healthy lifestyles among students. Here are some ways to incorporate physical activity into the university setting:
- Social network sites: Utilize social media platforms, mobile phone applications, and online text messaging to promote physical activity interventions. These platforms can be used to share motivational messages, tips, and progress updates with peers.
- Classes: Implement "class-like" traditional methods, such as interactive lectures and group discussions, to educate students about the benefits of physical activity and provide practical instruction.
- Exergames: Use technology-based interventions, such as gaming consoles and mobile applications, to make physical activity more engaging and accessible.
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Working with local communities
Community gardens are a great way to educate students and staff about hunger, food access, sustainability, and climate change. They also have health benefits. According to researchers at the University of Utah, people who participate in community gardening have a significantly lower body mass index and lower odds of being overweight or obese than their non-gardening neighbors.
Another way universities can work with local communities to promote healthy eating is through farm-to-school programs. These programs often include purchasing and serving locally or regionally produced foods in school meal programs, educating students about agriculture, food, health, and nutrition, and engaging students in hands-on learning opportunities through gardening, cooking lessons, or farm field trips. Students who participate in farm-to-school activities have been found to have increased knowledge about nutrition and agriculture, are more willing to try new foods, and consume more fruits and vegetables.
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Nutrition education
Schools can also make cafeterias learning labs where students are exposed to new foods through the school meal program, see what balanced meals look like, and may be encouraged to try new foods through verbal prompts from school nutrition staff or taste tests. Cafeterias may also be decorated with nutrition promotion posters or student artwork promoting healthy eating.
Universities can also play a role in promoting healthy eating among students, given their resources and facilities. They can make healthy food more available and cheaper, educate students and staff about healthy food choices, incorporate physical activities, and work with local communities to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating.
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Frequently asked questions
The university food environment has a significant impact on the dietary behaviours of students. Taste is the most important factor for students when choosing food and drinks, followed by availability and price. The diet quality of university students is more susceptible to living arrangements and socioeconomic status, but higher salt, fat, and added sugar consumption generally results in poorer quality diets on campus.
Universities can promote healthy eating by making healthy food more available and affordable, educating students and staff about healthy food choices, incorporating physical activities, and working with local communities.
Nutrition impacts overall health, including the immune system. Children and college students with access to proper nutrition are more likely to have better overall health and development outcomes. Poor nutrition can lead to frequent illnesses, hospitalisations, growth impairment, and developmental problems.
Nutrition impacts brain development, memory, and cognitive function, which are critical for learning and academic performance. Children who have a balanced diet are more likely to have improved school attendance, better grades, and higher test scores than those with poor dietary habits. Food insecurity can lead to lower grades, increased absences, and a higher likelihood of repeating a grade.
