The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 30, 2005, Page 4, Image 4
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“The main health issues
(caused by obesity) are
cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
and all different types of
cancers,” Watts said. “You also
get things like sleep apnea and
joint problems. The
cardiovascular disease, Type 2
diabetes and cancer are among
the main causes of death, and
they’re where the problem is.”
Watts credits high obesity
rates to American attitudes
about convenience and the rise
of the fast-food industry.
“We want food right now,
but what’s also happening is
when people have gained
weight, ' they want to lose
weight right now,” she said.
“And so what they’re doing is
going on fad diets, and fad diets
are the opposite of what is good
for you.”
On college campuses,
students face additional
challenges to weight
management, Watts said. Some
freshmen must make food
choices on their own for the
first time, and often students
bond with one another by
eating together, she said. Even
their living environments can
work against them.
“Living in dorms, there is
rarely quick access to a
kitchen,” Watts said.
She urged students to
incorporate more healthy foods
like fruit and whole-grain pasta
into their diets and to try to eat
breakfast even if pressed for
time.
“We encourage eating three
to four or even four to five
smaller meals throughout the
day as opposed to two or three
larger meals, which a lot of
students do because of meal
plans,” Watts said.
Through Campus Wellness
weight-management programs,
Watts said she hopes to help
students learn to ways to avoid
obesity and live a healthy
lifestyle. Campus Wellness
offers a range of services with
this goal, including the
“Lighten Up” program, a series
of events aimed at helping
students, staff, and faculty with
weight-management.
The series begins with a two
hour informational workshop.
Participants then schedule a
one-on-one appointment with
a registered dietician and attend
an exercise consultation
covering proper stretching
techniques and strengthening
and cardio workouts.
“The consultation is one of
our big services that’s really well
utilized by students,” Watts
said. “From there, we can send
them to strength training
orientation. The equipment
here is state-of-the-art, and it’s
important that they know how
to use it.”
“Lighten Up” participants
also have their blood pressure
and cholesterol checked and
take part in a grocery store tour
focusing on the outer perimeter
of the store, which is where the
fruits, vegetables, and other
healthy foods tend to be
located, Watts said.
Individual Wellness Center
services like body fat
measurement and fitness
consultations are open to
everyone at any time, but
“Lighten Up” participants must
complete all parts of the
program. 1 he program runs ror
three months, and the kick-off
workshops are held two to three
times a semester. The next will
be held in February.
Most Wellness Center
services are free, but some cost a
small fee. Personal Wellness
Profiles, which measure
students’ behaviors and their
effects on overall health, cost
two dollars. Cholesterol
screenings cost $15, and a one
hour meeting with a registered
dietician through Campus
Wellness costs $20. Off
campus, Watts said, a similar
meeting could cost $100.
Students can call Campus
Wellness at 576-9393 to join
the program or for more
information.
Comments on this story? E-mail
gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu
DIETERS •COnnnUED PROfll I
and exercise habits, noting the
stunning rise in national
obesity rates in recent years.
According to the American
Obesity Association, about
two-thirds of Americans are
overweight and nearly one
third of those people are obese.
Obesity means having 30
percent body fat or greater for
males and 35 percent body fat
or greater for females, Watts
said. She said obesity causes
many negative health effects.
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