Nutrition in the Curriculum

November 6, 2009

Sedentary and overweight aren't often considered characteristics of college students, but a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association indicates nutrition and physical activity among students are not what they should be.

The study examined height, weight, food records and activity level of 1,700 college students at the University of New Hampshire and found many students are overweight, do not engage in recommended amounts of physical activity, are at increased health risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, and have diets that do not meet recommended intakes for key nutrients.

If you are college-aged, be sure to give your body the nutrients and exercise it needs to keep you going strong. Visit www.mypyramid.gov/ to get a personalized nutrition plan based on your age, height, weight and physical activity. Use this information to navigate your school’s cafeteria for a healthful diet. Also, many campuses employ registered dietitians to help students eat healthfully.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team