Avoiding the Freshman 15 November 12, 2007

Oz, Daphne. (2006, September 4). What Freshman 15? People. 10.

It seems as though most college freshman suffer from the well-known “freshman 15” their first year in college. This rapid weight gain is due to many issues and it is important that we take this aspect into our project when creating an Academic Village. People magazine’s Daphne Oz illustrating certain problems and their correlating solutions to this problem in US Universities:

1. Problem: College Cafes

 An open buffet wreaks havoc on good eating resolutions

Solution: The menu repeats itself so today isn’t your last chance to have that grilled cheese. Make your own salad dressing. And cook your own meals sometimes.

2. Problem: Late-Night Studying

People buy chips, cookies, pretzels-armfuls of food and put it in the middle of the table. It’s let’s just bond over food and cram information

Solution: Eat fruit beforehand and Perrier-the bubbles will fill you up. Bring small bags of Wheat Thins or Triscuits, with are both baked.

3. Problem: Rigid Diets

Never allowing yourself treats leaves you feeling deprived, which will send you right back to unhealthy eating.

Solution: Let yourself eat something naughty sometimes-enjoy your small indulgences.

Keeping these tips in mind can be very beneficial both in the short and long term. Students who eat healthier will have a better concentration and be able to perform better academically. In the long run, students will be less likely to suffer from various diseases and obesity. Some downfalls to Oz’s suggestions is the fact that college students are adjusting to a new lifestyle. Creating good eating habits might be the last thing on their minds and an unrealistic solution. Also, the author did not address the issue of alcohol consumption. This seems to be a major factor in explaining weight gain by college freshman. Again, it seems unrealistic to tell a bunch of college students to quit drinking, or even to regulate their drinking habits. Sadly enough, it seems as though college students are not willing to give up the social aspect of their drinking habits at this particular point in their lives. 

Posted by Dana Vessey

New York Internet ordering October 30, 2007

In this article it focuses on eating habits of New York Cityprofessionals it is a website called Seamless Web which allows the employees to order food through the internet. The orders are processed and the companies deliver the food to their jobsite. It does state, this is one way that the “city” life accommodates for workers needs. Although it seems like a good idea it causes problems with fast food intake. This allows workers to eat yes of course but the quality of health food is limited because not all restaurants deliver or offer delivery. As technology advances more is provided through alternative sources. Not allowing people to take breaks or even have enough space to eat and move away from the desk for a little while can cause high stress and bad health. Space in New Yorkas stated in the article seems to be limited to the desk and more companies are eliminating the space for cafeterias. I find that the problem with this is companies are looking for robotic employees who live at the desk and force the employees to have overwhelming amount of work; which causes the stress of getting all of the work done in a timely fashion. Lack of breaks and/or no time to eat is becoming less significant. It is a national law that all employees are suppose to be allowed 2, 15 minute breaks in an 8 hour work day but studies have shown that most people do not take these breaks. Improving the workplace requires, allowed space for lounging, breaks and to get away from the desk for lunch. 

Lee, Jennifer (2007, July 16). Internet Ordering for Dinning. New York Times, p. Bw10.