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Life & Arts

Rec center helps students keep resolutions

The Remedy

Donica' Beckett

Did your New Year's resolutions include giving your body a rejuvenated health boost after a sluggish holiday season full of irresistible cuisine and inactivity? If so -- and even if not -- campus programs offer valuable solutions to assist in nutrition planning and restoring overall vigor for increased quality of life. 

"Obesity is a growing problem among students," Shreela Sharma, Assistant director for the UH Dietetic Internship Program said. "Weight loss and improving eating habits are priority reasons for UH students taking advantage of nutritional counseling," she said.

According to Sharma, fad diets are the top challenge students face when it comes to addressing their personal nutrition needs. 

"Everyone wants a quick fix," she said. But fad and yo-yo (temporary weight loss results that fail to include good long-term eating habits) dieting may end up being more harmful than healthy; plus, fad diets fade fast. Sharma witnesses many students relying on Internet sources for nutrition information without realizing their credibility, or lack thereof.

In addition, students' reliance on supplements to build muscle without knowing side effects could also lead to danger as well.

"There is definitely a need for accurate knowledge related to healthy weight loss management among the collegiate population," she said. Without proper nutritional guidance, students could lead less healthy lives, making room for deficiencies, eating disorders and disease, not to mention increased chances of diabetes, heart attack and stroke, even in youthful years. 

Beginning this spring semester, nutrition interns in the UH Dietetic Internship Program will be available to provide free nutritional counseling and support at the University Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 1038. The goals of the program are to act as a resource and increase nutrition knowledge through educational material, provide assessments to college students wanting to improve their diet and generally meet nutritional needs of students. 

According to Sharma, who completed the internship program herself before becoming its director in January 2002, these interns have the knowledge it takes to offer accurate nutrition information. A number of stringent criteria such as completion of specific nutrition courses, GPA, letters of recommendation and work experience must be met in order for applicants to be considered for entrance into the program. Faculty in the nutrition department supervise the interns. 

Starting today, nutrition interns will be available from 4 to 7 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday. Students can make an appointment with a nutrition intern by calling UH Wellness at (713) 743-5430. Prepare to visit with a counselor for at least an hour to receive in depth counseling and discuss diet history, exercise regimen and goal setting as a base to develop a suitable nutrition plan. Nutrition interns will also be conducting free health assessments at the upcoming University Nutrition and Health Fair: Food, Fun, Fitness --The three F's essential in college life. The fair is co-sponsored by Smoothie King, UH Department of Campus Recreation, Chartwells and UH Wellness on Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the rec center.

At the Fair, students can expect to receive free and nutritious foods, obtain health and nutrition information and participate in diverse activities sponsored by the Student Nutrition Association, Counseling and Psychological Services, Q-fit, the UH Health Center and the Colleges of Pharmacy and Optometry who plan to conduct osteoporosis and vision screenings. Students will also have the opportunity to enter drawings for the top three prizes, which include a Sony PlayStation, a bike and MetRX products. 

"We are expecting this event to be fun and educational," stated Gail Gillan, UH Wellness Director. Alongside commitment, diligence and an assortment of campus resources right at your fingertips, goals which were once only resolutions will progress into habitual routines geared toward advancing personal health.
 

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