Obesity not prevalent at AU

Media Credit: DAVE STONE / The Eagle GOING HEALTHY - Various groups sponsored tables at the Wellness Fair Thursday, an event that is part of AU's wellness programming. The health center will host the "Get Fit Be Well" program this spring.

Although three out of every 10 college students are overweight or obese, the complications that are often seen among overweight people are not prevalent on AU's campus, according to staff at the Student Health Center.

The estimate from the American College Health Association noted that health problems like Type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease are often more prevalent among overweight or obese people.

Dr. Barry Clark, a physician at the Student Health Center, said these diseases are not prevalent at AU.

"We have not compiled statistics of how much our patients weigh, but from what I've seen, they seem healthier than in private practice," he said.

Dan Bruey, director of the health center, also said he thought AU students are relatively healthy.

"Most students that we see in the health center are very active and aware of what they need to do to remain healthy," he said.

AU on-campus eateries, run by Bon Appétit, try to provide healthy options for students looking to maintain a fit lifestyle.

"We try to give each of the campus eateries a mix of healthy options as well as hamburgers and pizza or anything else that the students may want," said Yvonne Matteson, resident district manager of Bon Appétit.

It is Bon Appétit's duty to provide a range of food, including both healthy and unhealthy options, to its customers, Matteson said.

"I don't want to limit the customer's experience ... it is the responsibility of the consumer to eat sensibly," she said.

Additionally, the health center collaborates with student organizations, including The Naked Truth Wellness Advocates, Women's Initiative and the Student Government, to provide wellness programming.

The health center will provide the "Get Fit Be Well" program this spring as it did last year, which sets wellness goals for participants and aims to increase participants' physical, social, spiritual, emotional and environmental health.

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